:British Indian Ocean Territory Geography

Total area:
    60 km2
Land area:
    60 km2; includes the island of Diego Garcia
Comparative area:
    about 0.3 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
    none
Coastline:
    698 km
Maritime claims:
  Territorial sea:
    UK announced establishment of 200-nm fishery zone in August 1991
Disputes:
    the entire Chagos Archipelago is claimed by Mauritius
Climate:
    tropical marine; hot, humid, moderated by trade winds
Terrain:
    flat and low (up to 4 meters in elevation)
Natural resources:
    coconuts, fish
Land use:
    arable land 0%; permanent crops 0%; meadows and pastures 0%; forest and
    woodland 0%; other 100%
Environment:
    archipelago of 2,300 islands
Note:
    Diego Garcia, largest and southernmost island, occupies strategic location
    in central Indian Ocean; island is site of joint US-UK military facility

:British Indian Ocean Territory People

Population:
    no permanent civilian population; formerly about 3,000 islanders
Ethnic divisions:
    civilian inhabitants, known as the Ilois, evacuated to Mauritius before
    construction of UK and US defense facilities

:British Indian Ocean Territory Government

Long-form name:
    British Indian Ocean Territory (no short-form name); abbreviated BIOT
Type:
    dependent territory of the UK
Capital:
    none
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
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

:British Indian Ocean Territory Economy

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.
Electricity:
    provided by the US military

:British Indian Ocean Territory Communications

Highways:
    short stretch of paved road between port and airfield on Diego Garcia
Ports:
    Diego Garcia
Airports:
    1 with permanent-surface runways over 3,659 m on Diego Garcia
Telecommunications:
    minimal facilities; broadcast stations (operated by US Navy) - 1 AM, 1 FM, 1
    TV; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station

:British Indian Ocean Territory Defense Forces

Note:
    defense is the responsibility of the UK