Background: 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.

Land boundaries: none

Coastline: 698 km

Maritime claims: Territorial sea:3 nm

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

Geography
Note: defense is the responsibility of the UK

Population: no permanent civilian population; formerly about 3,000 islanders

Ethnic groups: civilian inhabitants, known as the Ilois, evacuated to Mauritius before construction of UK and US defense facilities

Environment
Current issues: archipelago of 2,300 islands

Country name: conventional long form: British Indian Ocean Territory (no short-form name; abbreviated BIOT

Government type: dependency of the UK administered by Commissioner R. EDIS (since NA 1988) and Administrator Robin CROMPTON (since NA 1988; note - both officials reside in the UK

Capital: none

Executive branch: Chief of State - Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952)

Diplomatic representation
In the us: none (colony administered by the UK)

Flag description: 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
Capacity: provided by the US military

Airports: 1 with permanent-surface runways over 3,659 m on Diego Garcia

Disputes international: Diego Garcia is claimed by Mauritius