Lafonia

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Lafonia, also known as Rincón del Toro, is a peninsula that makes up the southern part of East Falkland, the largest Falkland Island. It’s shaped a bit like the letter E and is connected to the rest of East Falkland by a narrow isthmus about 2.5 kilometers wide. If that isthmus were cut, Lafonia would be the third largest Falkland Island. Falkland Sound lies to the west, between Lafonia and West Falkland, and Choiseul Sound separates Lafonia from the unnamed northern part of East Falkland.

Off Lafonia lie several small islands, including Barren Island, Bleaker Island, George Island, Lively Island, Sea Lion Island and Speedwell Island. The northwest part has Permian rocks similar to areas in South Africa. The plain is made of Lafonia Group sands, with depressions formed where basalt dikes cut through.

In the 21st century, gold prospecting has taken place in Lafonia with Falkland Gold and Minerals Ltd. The land is gentle and low, but it is mostly sparsely inhabited, described as a “camp” area. Most settlements started in the mid-1800s.

In 1845, Samuel Fisher Lafone, a wealthy British cattle trader, was granted the southern part of East Falkland—a peninsula about 600,000 acres (2,400 km2). He could take the wild cattle for six years for £10,000 down and £20,000 after ten years from January 1, 1852. In 1851, Lafone’s interest in Lafonia was bought for £30,000 by the Falkland Islands Company.

Lafonia has long been used for sheep farming. It is operated from Darwin and Goose Green, both located on the narrow isthmus. North Arm Settlement is the main settlement, along with Walker Creek. Attractions include the Bodie Suspension Bridge, built in 1925 and said to be the southernmost bridge in the world, where there is also a shop.

Historic buildings include The Galpon and Stone Corral in Darwin, The Stone Cottage and Goose Green Hall in Goose Green, and Paragon House. The first land battles of the Falklands War occurred on Lafonia, at the Battle of Goose Green, where many Argentine soldiers were stationed and about 100 locals were imprisoned in the community hall. There is now an Argentine Military Cemetery. Parts near Darwin and Goose Green are still heavily mined.

Other settlements include Port King, Egg Harbour, and the abandoned Hope Place. Charles Darwin studied the area’s wildlife during his Beagle voyage. Wildlife includes the Chiloé wigeon, silver teal, and yellow-billed pintail. Brown trout have been introduced in at least one stream feeding Choiseul Sound, and there is a population of zebra trout.