Stanley

Stanley is the capital of the Falkland Islands. Formerly known as Port Stanley, it was founded in 1843 on account of its superb deep-water harbour. The timing was particularly fortuitous, when the California Gold Rush hit in 1849, Stanley thrived as a safe haven for repairs to ships damaged in the treacherous waters around Cape Horn. Its boom years started to end in the 1890s when stronger steamships came into service, then were snuffed out completely with the opening of the Panama Canal.

Stanley remained an important coaling station for the Royal Navy, and after the outbreak of the First World War cruisers based here won a bloody battle against the German Fleet near here in the Battle of the Falklands in December 1914.

For much of the 20th century Stanley served as the quiet capital for Falklands wool exports, until it was occupied by the Argentinian army in April 1982. After heavy fighting at Wireless Ridge and Mount Tumbledown near Stanley, its garrison surrendered to British forces on 14 June 1982. A substantial British military presence has remained ever since.

The capital's economic mainstay is now geared to tourism and management of the islands' substantial fisheries. Don't be surprised if you here Spanish being spoken here; the town attracts many migrant Chilean workers.  

Many expedition cruise ships include an excursion by bus to Gypsy Cove, on the northeast peninsula northeast of Stanley. The cove is home to a colony of magellanic penguins. The birds make their burrows in the peaty soil above the white sand beach: it's important to stick to the well-trodden paths here to avoid the risk of crushing burrows hidden among the heather. Access to specific breeding areas is restricted, and the Falklands countryside code advise you to maintain at least 6m between you and any penguins.

A boardwalk up from the cove leads to Ordnance Point, where there is a ship's gun left over from the Second World War.

On the way to Gypsy Cove, most excursions also stop at Whalebone Cove to see the picturesque wreck of the Lady Elizabeth, which has been lying here since 1936.

As a town, Stanley is not a wildlife destination, although visitors may sometimes be greeted by South American sealions snoozing on the jetty when they arrive by zodiac. Upland geese are also commonly seen on grassy areas near the shoreline.

Birdwatchers will be keen to visit Gypsy Cove outside Stanley. As well as its famous colony of magellanic penguins, there is also a reasonable chance of seeing Falkland steamer ducks on the beach. The cliffs above the cove are also home to nesting black-crowned night herons and rock shags. Peale's and Commerson's dolphins are common visitors to the cove.  

At Whalebone Cove, look for waders on the mudflat, including magellanic oystercatchers, two-banded plovers and white-rumped sandpipers that heroically migrate here ever year from the Arctic.