he Falkland Islands ( Islas Malvinas) are an archipelago located in the South Atlantic Ocean on the Patagonian Shelf. The principal islands are about 300 miles east of the Patagonian coast. The archipelago, which has an area of 4,700 square miles (12,173 square kilometres), comprises East Falkland, West Falkland and 776 smaller islands. As a British overseas territory, the islands enjoy a large degree of internal self-governance, with the United Kingdom guaranteeing good government and taking responsibility for their defence and foreign affairs. The islands' capital is Stanley on East Falkland. The islands lie on the boundary of the subarctic and temperate maritime climate zones with both major islands having mountain ranges reaching to 700 m. The islands are home to large bird populations, although many no longer breed on the main islands due to the effects of introduced species.