Pebble Island

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Pebble Island (Spanish: Isla Borbón) is one of the Falkland Islands, lying north of West Falkland. It has an area of approximately 88 km² and has been a sheep farm since 1846.

[edit] Geography and wildlife

The island can be divided into a marshy east, known for its waterfowl and wading birds, and a hilly west, known for its rockhopper, macaroni, king and erect-crested penguins. The two halves are joined by an isthmus on which the settlement, home to an airstrip, a hotel and a golf course is located. The island is probably named for the peculiarly spherical pebbles found at its western tip.

Nearby islands include Goulding Island, Middle Island, East Island, Rabbit Island and Pebble Islet.

[edit] History

During the Falklands War, the island was occupied by Argentine forces and heavily fortified, but was taken in the "Raid on Pebble Island" by the British SAS There are memorials on the island to the British destroyer HMS Coventry and to an Argentinian Lear Jet, both destroyed during the conflict.