ISLANDS OFF WEST FALKLAND

Besides the main islands East and West Falklands there are over 300 smaller islands ranging from islands that are inhabitable and viable for farms or other occupations, to very small islets. They can roughly be divided into three regions.

• To the north- west of the West Falklands the chain of islands including Saunders, Pebble, Keppel , Sedge, Carcass and West Point stretching on north west to the Jasons.
• To the south- west of West Falklands the Weddell, Beaver and New Island group.
• To the south-east of Lafonia, East Falklands, the islands of Speedwell, George, Barren, Lively Bleaker and Sea Lion.
• In Falkland Sound, between East and West Falklands is Swan Island, with the Tyssen Islands, Great Island and Ruggles Island off Lafonia

With the exception of the Jasons which exhibit their own features, rising sharp and dramatic, most islands are typically similar to the mainland Falklands that they are closest to. The tiny islands are often covered in tussac grass and this makes them a very important habitat for wildlife. In the past sealers released pigs and goats on small islands for a future supply of fresh meat. They were hunted when required with the aid of dogs or by burning the tussac. Tussac formation on islands was often burned to drive out seals.