British Indian Ocean Territory

Airports

1 with permanent-surface runways over 3,659 m on Diego Garcia

Highways

short stretch of paved road between port and airfield on Diego Garcia

Ports

Diego Garcia

Telecommunications

minimal facilities; broadcast stations (operated by US Navy) - 1 AM, 1 FM, 1 TV; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station

Note

defense is the responsibility of the UK

Electricity

provided by the US military

Overview

All economic activity is concentrated on the largest island of Diego Garcia, where joint UK-US defense facilities are located. Construction projects and various services needed to support the military installations are done by military and contract employees from the UK and the US. There are no industrial or agricultural activities on the islands.

Climate

tropical marine; hot, humid, moderated by trade winds

Coastline

698 km

Comparative area

about 0.3 times the size of Washington, DC

Disputes

the entire Chagos Archipelago is claimed by Mauritius

Environment

archipelago of 2,300 islands

Land area

60 km2; includes the island of Diego Garcia

Land boundaries

none

Land use

arable land 0%; permanent crops 0%; meadows and pastures 0%; forest and woodland 0%; other 100%

Maritime claims

Territorial sea: UK announced establishment of 200-nm fishery zone in August 1991

Natural resources

coconuts, fish

Note

Diego Garcia, largest and southernmost island, occupies strategic location in central Indian Ocean; island is site of joint US-UK military facility

Terrain

flat and low (up to 4 meters in elevation)

Total area

60 km2

Capital

none

Diplomatic representation

none (dependent territory of UK)

Flag

white with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and six blue wavy horizontal stripes bearing a palm tree and yellow crown centered on the outer half of the flag

Leaders

Chief of State: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952) Head of Government: Commissioner Mr. T. G. HARRIS; Administrator Mr. R. G. WELLS (since NA 1991); note - both reside in the UK

Long-form name

British Indian Ocean Territory (no short-form name); abbreviated BIOT

Type

dependent territory of the UK

Ethnic divisions

civilian inhabitants, known as the Ilois, evacuated to Mauritius before construction of UK and US defense facilities

Population

no permanent civilian population; formerly about 3,000 islanders