Did Argentines Ever Settle the Falkland Islands?

No permanent Argentine population has ever inhabited the Falkland Islands.

Timeline:

• 1765: Britain establishes Port Egmont (Saunders Island)—first permanent settlement
• 1767: France cedes Port Louis (East Falkland) to Spain
• 1833: UK reasserts sovereignty; Argentine garrison expelled; British civilians remain
• 1982: Argentina invades; 74-day occupation; UK retakes islands
• Present: ~3,500 residents—British citizens, self-governing Overseas Territory

Argentina claims sovereignty (Islas Malvinas) based on inheritance from Spain and geographic proximity. The UN lists the islands as a Non-Self-Governing Territory. The 2013 referendum: 99.8% voted to remain British.

No Argentine civilian community existed before, during, or after 1982. The dispute remains diplomatic, not demographic.