Notes on living in the falklands
Download 166.34 Kb.
|
- Navigate this page:
- Climate
- The People
- Wildlife
- The Government
- Defence
- Health
- Social Security
- Getting to the Falkland Islands
- Facilities for Local Leave
GeographyThe Falkland Islands comprises two main islands, (East and West Falkland) with some 700 smaller islands, a total land area of approximately 4,700 square miles (12,173 square km). The coastline is deeply indented with many good anchorages. Topographically the Islands are generally hilly with the highest point being Mount Usborne at 2,312 feet (705 m) in East Falkland and Mount Adam 2,297 feet (700 m) in West Falkland. Stone Runs - rivers of angular quartzite boulders - are a unique feature of the landscape. Because of the climate there are few trees, the natural vegetation being grassland with some species of heath and dwarf shrubs. Bird and marine mammal life - geese, penguins, seabirds and seals - is diverse and relatively unspoiled. There are no native land mammals. Legislation provides for the protection of most birds and certain mammals and for the establishment of some islands and areas of the main islands as wildlife sanctuaries and reserves. ClimateSituated in the South Atlantic, the Falkland Islands lie about the same latitude south as London lies north, but they have winds which are both stronger and much more frequent, and a cold surface current instead of the Gulf Stream. The Antarctic continent is also markedly colder than the polar cap of the north. Average climatic figures for the Islands capital, Stanley are as follows: Mean annual temperature 6°C (43°F) Mean annual wind speed 17 knots (31.5 km/hour) Mean annual rainfall 24 inches (625 mm) Annual max temperature 22°C (70°F) Annual min temperature -5°C (22°F)
The unspoilt countryside and unpolluted waters of the Falkland Islands make them a haven for wildlife and a paradise for the wildlife enthusiast. Over 185 species of birds have been recorded in the Islands, over 60 of which are native breeding species. These include five different types of penguin, Black-browed Albatross, Giant Petrel, Caracara (a rare bird of prey), Red Backed Hawk, many species of duck and geese to name, but a few. Around the many miles of coastline can be found Elephant Seals, Sea Lions, Fur Seals, Dolphin, Pilot Whales and occasionally, Orca, Fin and Minke whales. The GovernmentThe Falkland Islands are a United Kingdom Overseas Territory by choice. Supreme authority is vested in Her Majesty The Queen and exercised by a Governor on her behalf, with the advice and assistance of the Executive Council and Legislative Assembly. Following almost ten years of discussion and negotiation, a new Constitution for the Falkland Islands took effect on 1 January 2009. Marking an important milestone in the history of the Falkland Islands, the new Constitution provides enhanced local democracy and internal self-government, and enshrines the right of self-determination. The Falklands have developed considerably both economically and socially since the previous Constitution was introduced 1985, and the new Constitution reflects this. The Islanders’ right to determine their own future has been reinforced, as self-determination is now embedded in the main body of the Constitution. The Constitution enhances local democracy, while retaining sufficient powers for the UK Government to protect UK interests and to ensure the overall good governance of the Territory. It provides for greater transparency and accountability through the creation of a Public Accounts Committee and a Complaints Commissioner, and the Human Rights chapter has been brought up to date to bring it into line with international agreements. In line with other UK Overseas Territories, the Legislative Council will now be called the Legislative Assembly, and Legislative Councillors are now Members of the Legislative Assembly. The new Constitution makes much clearer Assembly Members’ responsibility for most domestic policies and that, in general, the Governor will now have to abide by the advice of the Executive Council on such matters. However, the new Constitution will also enshrine a power for the Governor not to act upon Executive Council's advice "in the interests of good governance", or in relation to external affairs, defence, internal security, the administration of justice, audit, and management of the public service. The Legislative Assembly (LA) is chaired by a Speaker and includes two ex officio members: the Chief Executive and the Financial Secretary. The Attorney General and Commander British Forces South Atlantic Islands (CBFSAI) are also entitled to attend LA meetings. The Speaker is a non-elected position, chosen from the community by Councillors. Each year the Legislative Councillors elect three of their number to stand as members of the Executive Council (ExCo), which includes the same two ex officio members who sit on LA. In addition, the Attorney General and CBFSAI may attend and speak on any matter. The Governor is obliged to consult ExCo in the exercise of his functions. LA is empowered to pass legislation for the peace, order and good government of the Falkland Islands, subject to the approval of Her Majesty the Queen, acting through her Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. LA meetings are held in public, usually bi-monthly. Elected Councillors have a substantial measure of responsibility for the conduct of affairs concerning the Falkland Islands, although the Governor retains responsibility for external affairs and defence. The Governor nevertheless consults regularly with Councillors on these issues. DefenceSince the short lived invasion by Argentine forces in 1982 the Islands have been defended by a British land, sea and air garrison maintained at the minimum size required to ensure their security. The completion of the airport at Mount Pleasant (MPC - some 35 miles outside Stanley), which became fully operational in 1986, has permitted some reduction in the number of forces stationed on the Islands. Relations between the civilian and military populations are good. HealthThe Government Health and Social Services Department is responsible for all aspects of health and social services in the Islands. The general standard of health is good. The King Edward VII Memorial Hospital, (KEMH) Stanley’s only hospital, was almost totally destroyed by fire in April 1984. After extensive repair and rebuilding work the KEMH was re-opened in 1987 and now offers very modern facilities with a full complement of medical, dental and nursing staff. The 29 bed hospital contains an acute care wing with a small maternity unit and intensive care unit. There are facilities for outpatients, accident and emergency, physiotherapy, speech and language therapy, counselling, community health care and a high standard of medicine is practised. There are 4 full-time Medical Officers who provide general practitioner services, as well as a Radiographer, Surgeon and an Anaesthetist. Dental care is provided by two dentists whose time is divided between Stanley and Camp (i.e. the rest of the Islands). There is no resident qualified optician, though a UK optician visits at intervals of (normally) about six months; otherwise eye testing is carried out by one of the doctors. You, and any members of your family who will be accompanying you to the Falkland Islands, must have a medical check-up, including teeth and eyes, and undergo any essential treatment (especially work to attain dental fitness) before travelling to the Islands. Please note that non-residents of the Islands are entitled to only limited, essential dental treatment and that expensive crowns, bridges and extensive courses of treatment are not provided. The Falkland Islands has a Reciprocal Agreement with the UK NHS by which Falkland Island residents (regardless of their national origin) can receive treatment from the UK NHS on the same basis as UK residents, likewise, UK residents can receive treatment from the Falkland Islands Health Service on the same basis as Falkland Island residents. The special arrangements which exist between the UK NHS and certain European, Commonwealth and former Commonwealth countries DO NOT apply to the Falkland Islands or to Falkland Islands residents. Officers from outside the UK are advised to maintain any health insurance cover that they currently hold in their home country, in case they choose to attend for, or require, treatment there. Please check with the Recruitment Officer if you are unsure on this. As things stand prescriptions are free. This is likely to change at some point however. The proposal is that every prescription would be £1 per item with no exemptions, but with a maximum per person of around £100 per year. Pill & contraceptive injections are currently free (but would be subject to the £1 mentioned above when the change is enforced). Social SecurityThere is a contributory old age pension scheme that provides pensions for individuals upon reaching the age of 64. All employees and employers are required to make weekly contributions if earnings are above the current threshold. There are currently no unemployment or child benefits available for contract officers. Getting to the Falkland IslandsThe most direct way to reach the Falkland Islands from the United Kingdom is on transport provided by the Ministry of Defence. A chartered passenger aircraft provides a service between RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire and the Falkland Islands, stopping off at Ascension Island for refuelling. There are currently 2 flights per week which depart from the UK. They are on Wednesdays and Sundays each week. The flight usually leaves UK at 11pm, with a latest check in time of 8pm (although this is subject to change, so your exact timings will be confirmed to you as soon as possible). Flights arrive in the Islands approximately 18 hours after departure, which includes a refuelling stop on Ascension Islands for around 1 hour, mid-way. Flights to UK currently leave MPC on Tuesdays and Fridays each week – again, times will be confirmed at the time of booking. It is not unusual to experience delays. If you are on a contract for a year or more, luggage is usually limited to 54 kilos total weight per passenger over the age of 2 years (this will however be confirmed for sure on your flight confirmation), but there is no restriction on the number of bags or cases you may have. If you have items other than cases and bags (boxes of items, strangely shaped packages such as musical equipment, push bikes and so on), you must advise us of this so we can notify the MOD and avoid any issues when you check-in. Please note that if you have a baby or very young child you should bring an appropriate car seat with you as part of your luggage so that it can be fitted to the vehicle being used to collect you and your family from the airport. This is also useful for your child to use on the aeroplane. You should also take milk or appropriate food for your child whilst on the flight if they are unlikely to eat the meals provided. It is advisable to pack your sponge bag, a small towel and perhaps a change of clothing, if there is room, in your hand luggage (cabin baggage) in case of a delay. Hand luggage is limited to 1 piece per passenger. The dimensions of this should not exceed 56cm x 45cm x 25cm and the weight must not exceed 4.5 kilos. Note: hand luggage is usually counted as part of your overall luggage allowance but not always. Further detail on flights and getting to RAF Brize Norton will be distributed to you separately with your flight confirmation. You are however allowed to take a laptop as well as a hand luggage bag. If you are flying for less than a year we cannot guarantee the full 54kilos and the MOD may only issue 27 kilos so please be sure to check your confirmation upon receipt to be sure. Alternatively, it is possible to travel between the Falkland Islands and London Heathrow via Madrid and Santiago, Chile. It is recommended that you check your baggage entitlements with the airline or ticketing agency if flying by this route but it is usually around 23kilos per passenger + around 8 kilos hand luggage (exact amounts will be advised at the time of booking). Passengers leaving Heathrow on Thursday afternoons/evenings arrive in the Falkland Islands on Saturday afternoon. This route involves a one-night stop over in Santiago, Chile and we cover the cost of this stay as well as the flights. If recruited from Australia or New Zealand travel will be via Santiago, Chile. Australians and New Zealanders should check with their local authorities as regard the necessity for visas to travel through Chile. There may also be a charge for passing through Santiago airport, but this will be confirmed when your flight is confirmed. Facilities for Local LeaveWhilst in the Islands, you are strongly advised to seize any opportunity to see the wonderful wildlife and unspoilt natural beauty of the Falkland Islands. A number of well appointed wildlife lodges have been built at key sites around the Islands and there are also a number of self-catering cottages at various locations. Details of tourist lodges and self-catering cottages can be obtained from the Falkland Islands Tourism Board (www.falklandislands.com Tel: 22215 email: tourism@horizon.co.fk). Whilst most farms and wildlife reserves on East Falkland are accessible by roads or tracks by using four wheel drive vehicles, travel to West Falklands and the outlying islands is by Islander aircraft operated by the Falkland Islands Government Air Service (FIGAS) – http://www.falklandislands.com/product.php/19/24/air_service__figas_/678d29e2e781fd436c50d0b48c14d567. This is an exciting way to travel but it is fairly expensive. There is also a Ferry Service from New Haven on the mail East Island to the main West Island (www.workboat.co.fk). Some of the cruise ships which visit the Falkland Islands in the austral summer on their way to Antarctica occasionally offer berths to Falkland Islands residents. These can be booked through local travel or shipping agents but are very expensive. An increasing number of people from the Falklands are now visiting South America owing to the availability of weekly flights to Punta Arenas, Puerto Montt and Santiago in Chile. Directory: docsarchive -> GSGSSI -> Jobs Jobs -> Director of Operations South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands Download 166.34 Kb. Share with your friends:
|