1993 Edition
CIA World Factbook 1993 (Project Gutenberg)
Geography
Area
total area: 60 km2 land area: 60 km2 comparative area: about 0.3 times the size of Washington, DC note: includes the island of Diego Garcia
Climate
tropical marine; hot, humid, moderated by trade winds
Coastline
698 km
Environment
archipelago of 2,300 islands
International disputes
the entire Chagos Archipelago is claimed by Mauritius
Irrigated land
0 km2
Land boundaries
0 km
Land use
arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 0% forest and woodland: 0% other: 100%
Location
in the Indian Ocean, south of India about halfway between Africa and Indonesia
Map references
Standard Time Zones of the World
Maritime claims
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 3 nm
Natural resources
coconuts, fish
Note
Diego Garcia, largest and southernmost island, occupies strategic location in central Indian Ocean; island is site of joint US-UK military facility
Terrain
flat and low (up to 4 meters in elevation)
People and Society
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
Abbreviation
BIOT
Capital
none
Chief of State
Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952)
Digraph
IO
Diplomatic representation in US
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
Head of Government
Commissioner Mr. T. G. HARRIS (since NA); Administrator Mr. R. G. WELLS (since NA 1991); note - both reside in the UK
Independence
none (dependent territory of the UK)
Names
conventional long form: British Indian Ocean Territory conventional short form: none
Type
dependent territory of the UK
Economy
Electricity
provided by the US military
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, Mauritius, the Philippines, and the US. There are no industrial or agricultural activities on the islands.
Communications
Airports
total: 1 usable: 1 with permanent-surface runways: 1 with runways over 3,659 m: 1 on Diego Garcia with runways 2,439-3,659 m: with runways 1,229-2,439 m:
Highways
short stretch of paved road between port and airfield on Diego Garcia
Ports
Diego Garcia
Telecommunications
minimal facilities; broadcast stations (operated by US Navy) - 1 AM, 1 FM, 1 TV; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station
Military and Security
Note
defense is the responsibility of the UK