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; broadcast stations (operated by 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 the 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]

the entire Chagos Archipelago is claimed by Mauritius

Environment - current issues (Environment) [time series]

archipelago of 2,300 islands

Area (Land area) [time series]

60 km2; includes the island of Diego Garcia

Land boundaries [time series]

none

Land use [time series]

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

Maritime claims [time series]

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

Natural resources [time series]

coconuts, fish

Note [time series]

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

Terrain [time series]

flat and low (up to 4 meters in elevation)

Area (Total area) [time series]

60 km2

Capital [time series]

none

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

none (dependent territory of UK)

Flag [time series]

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

Executive branch (Leaders) [time series]

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

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