1989 Edition
CIA World Factbook 1989 (Internet Archive)
Geography
Climate
tropical marine; hot, humid, moderated by trade winds
Environment
archipelago of 2,300 islands
Land use
0% arable land; 0% permanent crops; 0% meadows and pastures; 0% forest and woodland; 100% other
Natural resources
coconuts, fish
Note
Diego Garcia, largest and southernmost island, occupies strategic location in central Indian Ocean
Terrain
flat and low (up to 4 meters in elevation)
People and Society
Ethnic divisions
civilian inhabitants, known as the Hois, evacuated to Mauritius before construction of UK and US defense facilities
Population
no permanent civilian population; formerly about 3,000 islanders
Government
Capital
none
Leaders
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
Long-form name
British Indian Ocean Territory (no short-form name); abbreviated BIOT
Type
dependent territory of the UK