Military - note (Defense note) [time series]

defense is the responsibility of the UK

Broadcast media (Radio broadcast stations) [time series]

AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 0

Radios [time series]

NA

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

facilities for military needs only domestic: NA international: NA

Telephones - fixed lines (Telephones) [time series]

NA

Broadcast media (Television broadcast stations) [time series]

1

Televisions [time series]

NA Defense

Economic 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, Mauritius, the Philippines, and the US. There are no industrial or agricultural activities on the islands.

Electricity [time series]

provided by the US military

Area [time series]

total area: 60 sq km land area: 60 sq km comparative area: about 0.5 times the size of Washington, DC note: includes the entire Chagos Archipelago

Climate [time series]

tropical marine; hot, humid, moderated by trade winds

Coastline [time series]

698 km

Environment - current issues (Environment) [time series]

current issues: NA natural hazards: NA international agreements: NA

Geographic coordinates [time series]

6 00 S, 71 30 E

Geography - note (Geographic note) [time series]

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

Disputes - international (International disputes) [time series]

the island of Diego Garcia is claimed by Mauritius

Irrigated land [time series]

0 sq km

Land boundaries [time series]

0 km

Land use [time series]

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

Location [time series]

Southern Asia, archipelago in the Indian Ocean, about one-half the way from Africa to Indonesia

Map references [time series]

World

Maritime claims [time series]

exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 3 nm

Natural resources [time series]

coconuts, fish

Terrain [time series]

flat and low (up to four meters in elevation) lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location on Diego Garcia 15 m

Capital [time series]

none

Data code [time series]

IO

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

none (dependent territory of the UK)

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (of the United Kingdom since 6 February 1952) is a hereditary monarch head of government: Commissioner David Ross MACLENNAN (since NA 1994); Administrator Don CAIRNS (since NA); note - both reside in the 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

Independence [time series]

none (dependent territory of the UK)

Country name (Name of country) [time series]

conventional long form: British Indian Ocean Territory conventional short form: none abbreviation: BIOT

Government type (Type of government) [time series]

dependent territory of the UK

Diplomatic representation from the US (US diplomatic representation) [time series]

none (dependent territory of the UK)

Population [time series]

no indigenous inhabitants note: there are UK-US military personnel and civilian contractors; civilian inhabitants, known as the Ilois, evacuated to Mauritius before construction of UK-US military facilities

Airports [time series]

total: 1 with paved runways over 3 047 m: 1 (1995 est.)

Roadways (Highways) [time series]

total: NA km paved: short stretch of paved road of NA km between port and airfield on Diego Garcia unpaved: NA km

Ports [time series]

Diego Garcia

Railways [time series]

0 km