Queen Elizabeth II 25th Anniversary Coronation First Day Cover, Falkland Islands postmarked on June 2, 1978.
Falkland Islands
The Falkland Islands are strongly reminiscent of the Western Isles of Scotland, with their friendly people, barren moors, chilly, damp climate, strong winds, few trees, seabird and seal colonies, and the smell of kelp and the sea. East and West Falkland, and the other 200 smaller islands, lie 300 miles from the tip of South America. Rock strata and the similarity of fossil flora and fauna suggest that the islands once joined Africa in the Karoo Basin of Natal.
Argentina also claims the islands, calling them 'Islas Malvinas', from the reputed discovery by Magellan's expedition in 1520. Britain's claim arises from a sighting in 1592. To complicate the issue, both French and English expeditions (in ignorance of each other) landed settlers around 1765, the French selling their claim to Spain two years later. War came close when the Spanish seized the British settlement, but they backed down, ceding all rights to Britain in 1771. Three years later the British changed their minds and abandoned the islands, which, apart from a brief Spanish attempt at settlement, were deserted until their strategic importance lured the British back in 1833. Finding some Argentinians had settled meantime, they peremptorily expelled them, leading to the present dispute, now intensified by expectations of finding oil. In 1966, while Prince Philip was visiting Argentina, a group hijacked an Argentine plane and flew it to the Falklands in protest.
The 2000 Falkland Kelpers' are mostly involved in rearing sheep on moorland ranches of 10,000 to 20,000 acres, now producing over 95 percent of the country's exports. The hornless ram is thus an appropriate supporter for the Falkland shield.
The Dragon originated with the Mesopotamian Tiamat, the Serpent of the Garden of Eden and the Teutonic Midgard Serpent as symbols denoting (in the eyes of monarchs) the 'evil' and 'chaos' of independent thought and activity. Later, Dragons were used on regal standards of Celts, Saxons and Normans, to strike fear into opponents' hearts; and in Henry VI's time for his seal of the Principality of North Wales. In addition to the Dragon, depicted here as the other Falkland Omnibus beast, the Badge of Wales now includes the words (in Welsh): The Red Dragon gives the lead'.
