The World Factbook (1990)/British Indian Ocean Territory
British Indian Ocean Territory
(dependent territory of the UK)
_British_Indian_Ocean_Territory.jpg)
See regional map I
Geography
Total area: 60 km²; land area: 60 km²
Comparative area: about 0.3 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: none
Coastline: 698 km
Maritime claims:
- Territorial sea: 3 nm
Disputes: Diego Garcia is claimed by Mauritius
Climate: tropical marine; hot, humid, moderated by trade winds
Terrain: flat and low (up to 4 meters in elevation)
Natural resources: coconuts, fish
Land use: 0% arable land; 0% permanent crops; 0% meadows and pastures; 0% forest and woodland; 100% other
Environment: archipelago of 2,300 islands
Note: Diego Garcia, largest and southern-most island, occupies strategic location in central Indian Ocean
People
Population: no permanent civilian population;
formerly about 3,000 islanders
Ethnic divisions: civilian inhabitants, known as the Ilois, evacuated to Mauritius before construction of UK and US defense facilities
Government
Long-form name: British Indian Ocean
Territory (no short-form name); abbreviated
BIOT
Type: dependent territory of the UK
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
Diplomatic representation: none (dependent territory of the UK)
Flag: the flag of the UK is used
Economy
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 and US.
There are no industrial or agricultural
activities on the islands.
Electricity: provided by the US military
Communications
Highways: short stretch of paved road
between port and airfield on Diego Garcia
Ports: Diego Garcia
Airports: 1 with permanent-surface runways over 3,659 m on Diego Garcia
Telecommunications: minimal facilities; stations (operated by the US Navy)—1 AM, 1 FM, 1 TV; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station
Defense Forces
Note: defense is the responsibility of the
UK