Airports [time series]

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

Roadways (Highways) [time series]

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

Ports [time series]

Diego Garcia

Telecommunication systems (Telecommunications) [time series]

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

Note [time series]

defense is the responsibility of the UK

Electricity [time series]

provided by the US military

Economic overview (Overview) [time series]

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 US. There are no industrial or agricultural activities on the islands.

Climate [time series]

tropical marine; hot, humid, moderated by trade winds

Coastline [time series]

698 km

Area - comparative (Comparative area) [time series]

about 0.3 times the size of Washington, DC

Disputes - international (Disputes) [time series]

Diego Garcia is claimed by Mauritius

Environment - current issues (Environment) [time series]

archipelago of 2,300 islands

Land boundaries [time series]

none

Land use [time series]

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

Natural resources [time series]

coconuts, fish

Note [time series]

Diego Garcia, largest and southernmost island, occupies strategic location in central Indian Ocean

Terrain [time series]

flat and low (up to 4 meters in elevation)

Maritime claims (Territorial sea) [time series]

3 nm

Area (Total area) [time series]

60 km2; land area: 60 km2

Capital [time series]

none Chief of State--Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); Head of Government--Commissioner R. EDIS (since NA 1988), Administrator Robin CROMPTON (since NA 1988); note--both officials reside in the UK

Diplomatic representation in the US (Diplomatic representation) [time series]

none (dependent territory of the UK)

Flag [time series]

the flag of the UK is used

Country name (Long-form name) [time series]

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

Government type (Type) [time series]

dependent territory of the UK

Ethnic groups (Ethnic divisions) [time series]

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

Population [time series]

no permanent civilian population; formerly about 3,000 islanders