 | British Indian Ocean TerritoryDependent territory of the U.K. |
Geography 
Economy 
Defense Forces
People 
Transportation 
Government
Communications 
History 
Travel
GEOGRAPHY
Location
Southern Asia, archipelago in the Indian Ocean, about one-half the way from Africa to Indonesia
Area
- Total area: 60 sq km
- Land area: 60 sq km
- Comparative area: about 0.3 times the size of Washington, DC
Note: Includes the island of Diego Garcia
Land Boundaries
0 km
Coastline
698 km
Maritime Claims
- Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
- Territorial sea: 3 nm
International Disputes
The entire Chagos Archipelago is claimed by Mauritius
Climate
Tropical marine; hot, humid, moderated by trade winds
Terrain
Flat and low
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location on Diego Garcia 15 m
Natural Resources
Land Use
- Arable land: 0%
- Permanent crops: 0%
- Meadows and pastures: 0%
- Forest and woodland: 0%
- Other: 100%
Irrigated Land
0 sq km
Environment
- Current issues: NA
- Natural hazards: NA
- International agreements: NA
Note: Archipelago of 2,300 islands; Diego Garcia, largest and southernmost island, occupies strategic location in central Indian Ocean; island is site of joint US-UK military facility
PEOPLE
Population
No indigenous inhabitants
Note: There are UK-US military personnel; civilian inhabitants, known as the Ilois, evacuated to Mauritius before construction of UK-US military facilities
GOVERNMENT
Names
- Conventional long form: British Indian Ocean Territory
- Conventional short form: none
Abbreviation
BIOT
Digraph
IO
Type
Dependent territory of the U.K.
Capital
None
Independence
None (dependent territory of the U.K.)
Executive Branch
- Chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952)
- Head of government: Commissioner Mr. D. R. MACLENNAN); Administrator Mr. David Smith; note - both reside in the U.K.
Flag
White with the flag of the U.K. 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
ECONOMY
Overview
All economic activity is concentrated on the largest.htmnd 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 U.K., Mauritius, the Philippines, and the U.S. There are no industrial or agricultural activities on the islands.
Electricity
Provided by the U.S. military
TRANSPORTATION
Railroads
0 km
Highways
- Total: NA
- Paved: short stretch of paved road between port and airfield on Diego Garcia
- Unpaved: NA
Ports
Diego Garcia
Airports
- Total: 1
- With paved runways over 3,047 m: 1
COMMUNICATIONS
Telephone System
NA telephones; minimal facilities
- Local: NA
- Intercity: NA
- International: 1 INTELSAT (Atlantic Ocean) earth station
Radio
- Broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 0
- Radios: NA
Television
- Broadcast stations: 1
- Televisions: NA
DEFENSE FORCES
Note: Defense is the responsibility of the U.K.
History
World Atlas
Last modified: 14 october 1997
