1996 Edition
CIA World Factbook 1996 (Project Gutenberg)
Introduction
Description
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
Location
6 00 S, 71 30 E -- Southern Asia, archipelago in the Indian Ocean, about one-half the way from Africa to Indonesia Flag ----
Geography
Area
- comparative area
- about 0.5 times the size of Washington, DC
- land area
- 60 sq km
- note
- includes the entire Chagos Archipelago
- total area
- 60 sq km
Climate
tropical marine; hot, humid, moderated by trade winds
Coastline
698 km
Environment
- current issues
- NA
- international agreements
- NA
- natural hazards
- NA
Geographic coordinates
6 00 S, 71 30 E
Geographic 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
International disputes
the island of Diego Garcia is claimed by Mauritius
Irrigated land
0 sq km
Land boundaries
0 km
Land use
- arable land
- 0%
- forest and woodland
- 0%
- meadows and pastures
- 0%
- other
- 100%
- permanent crops
- 0%
Location
Southern Asia, archipelago in the Indian Ocean, about one-half the way from Africa to Indonesia
Map references
World
Maritime claims
- exclusive fishing zone
- 200 nm
- territorial sea
- 3 nm
Natural resources
coconuts, fish
Terrain
- flat and low (up to four meters in elevation)
- highest point
- unnamed location on Diego Garcia 15 m
- lowest point
- Indian Ocean 0 m
People and Society
Population
- 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
Government
Capital
none
Data code
IO
Diplomatic representation in US
none (dependent territory of the UK)
Executive branch
- 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
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
none (dependent territory of the UK)
Name of country
- abbreviation
- BIOT
- conventional long form
- British Indian Ocean Territory
- conventional short form
- none
Type of government
dependent territory of the UK
US diplomatic representation
none (dependent territory of the UK)
Economy
Economic 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.
Electricity
provided by the US military
Communications
Defense note
defense is the responsibility of the UK
Radio broadcast stations
AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 0
Radios
NA
Telephone system
- facilities for military needs only
- domestic
- NA
- international
- NA
Telephones
NA
Television broadcast stations
1
Televisions
NA Defense
Transportation
Airports
- total
- 1
- with paved runways over 3 047 m
- 1 (1995 est.)
Highways
- paved
- short stretch of paved road of NA km between port and airfield on Diego Garcia
- total
- NA km
- unpaved
- NA km
Ports
Diego Garcia
Railways
0 km