Statistical information British Indian Ocean Territory 1996

British Indian Ocean Territory in the World
top of pageBackground: Established as a territory of the UK in 1965 a number of the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) islands were transferred to the Seychelles when it attained independence in 1976. Subsequently BIOT has consisted only of the six main island groups comprising the Chagos Archipelago. The largest and most southerly of the islands Diego Garcia contains a joint UK-US naval support facility. All of the remaining islands are uninhabited. Former agricultural workers earlier resident in the islands were relocated primarily to Mauritius but also to the Seychelles between 1967 and 1973.
top of pageLocation: Southern Asia, archipelago in the Indian Ocean, about one-half the way from Africa to Indonesia
Geographic coordinatesMap referenceAreaTotal: 60 km²
Land: 60 km²
Comparative: about 0.3 times the size of Washington, DC
Comparative note: Includes the uninhabited island of Diego Garcia, the largest island, which is a military base. The weather is usually hot and humid, moderated by trade winds.
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 698 km
Maritime claimsExclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
Territorial sea: 3 nm
Climate: Tropical marine; hot, humid, moderated by trade winds
Terrain: Flat and low
Lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
Highest point: unnamed location on Diego Garcia 15 m
ElevationNatural resources:
Coconuts
Fish
Land useArable land: 0%
Permanent crops: 0%
Permanent pastures: 0%
Forests and woodland: 0%
Other: 100%
Irrigated land: 0 km²
Major riversMajor watersheds area km²Total water withdrawalTotal renewable water resourcesNatural hazardsGeographytop of pagePopulation: 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
NationalityEthnic groupsLanguagesReligionsDemographic profileAge structureDependency ratiosMedian agePopulation growth rateBirth rateDeath rateNet migration ratePopulation distributionUrbanizationMajor urban areasEnvironmentCurrent issues: NA
Current issues Natural hazards: NA
International agreements: NA
International agreements 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
Air pollutantsSex ratioMothers mean age at first birthMaternal mortality ratioInfant mortality rateLife expectancy at birthTotal fertility rateContraceptive prevalence rateDrinking water sourceCurrent health expenditurePhysicians densityHospital bed densitySanitation facility accessHiv/AidsMajor infectious diseasesObesity adult prevalence rateAlcohol consumptionTobacco useChildren under the age of 5 years underweightEducation expendituresLiteracySchool life expectancy primary to tertiary educationYouth unemploymenttop of pageCountry nameConventional long form: British Indian Ocean Territory
Conventional short form: none Abbreviation:BIOT
Government type: Dependent territory of the U.K.
Capital: None
Administrative divisionsDependent areasIndependence: None (dependent territory of the U.K.)
National holidayConstitutionLegal systemInternational law organization participationCitizenshipSuffrageExecutive branchChief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952)
Head of government: Commissioner Mr. D. R. MACLENNAN; Administrator Mr. David Smith; note_both reside in the U.K.
Legislative branchJudicial branchPolitical parties and leadersInternational organization participationDiplomatic representationFlag description
: White with the flag of the U.K. 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
National symbolsNational anthemNational heritagetop of pageEconomy 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 U.K., Mauritius, the Philippines, and the U.S. There are no industrial or agricultural activities on the islands. Provided by the U.S. military
Real gdp purchasing power parityReal gdp growth rateReal gdp per capitaGross national savingGdp composition by sector of origin
Gdp composition by end useGdp composition by sector of originAgriculture productsIndustriesIndustrial production growth rateLabor forceUnemployment rateYouth unemploymentPopulation below poverty lineGini indexHousehold income or consumption by percentage shareDistribution of family income gini indexBudgetTaxes and other revenuesPublic debtRevenueFiscal yearInflation rate consumer pricesCentral bank discount rateCommercial bank prime lending rateStock of narrow moneyStock of broad moneyStock of domestic creditMarket value of publicly traded sharesCurrent account balanceExportsImportsReserves of foreign exchange and goldDebt externalStock of direct foreign investment at homeStock of direct foreign investment abroadExchange ratestop of pageElectricityCoalPetroleumCrude oilRefined petroleumNatural gasCarbon dioxide emissionsEnergy consumption per capitatop of pageTelephonesTelephone system: NA telephones; minimal facilities
Local: NA
Intercity: NA
International: 1 INTELSAT (Atlantic Ocean) earth station
Broadcast mediaInternetBroadband fixed subscriptionstop of pageMilitary expendituresMilitary and security forcesMilitary service age and obligationSpace programTerrorist groupstop of pageNational air transport systemCivil aircraft registration country code prefixAirports: 1
With paved runways: over 3,047 m :1
HeliportsPipelinesRailwaysRoadwaysWaterwaysMerchant marinePorts and terminalstop of pageDisputes internationalRefugees and internally displaced personsIllicit drugs