1990 Edition
CIA World Factbook 1990 (Project Gutenberg)
Geography
Climate
tropical marine; hot, humid, moderated by trade winds
Coastline
698 km
Comparative area
about 0.3 times the size of Washington, DC
Disputes
Diego Garcia is claimed by Mauritius
Environment
archipelago of 2,300 islands
Land boundaries
none
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)
Territorial sea
3 nm
Total area
60 km2; land area: 60 km2
People and Society
Ethnic divisions
civilian inhabitants, known as the Ilois, evacuated to Mauritius before construction of UK and US defense facilities
Population
no permanent civilian population; formerly about 3,000 islanders
Government
Capital
none
Diplomatic representation
none (dependent territory of the UK)
Flag
the flag of the UK is used
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
Economy
Electricity
provided by the US military
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.
Communications
Airports
1 with permanent-surface runways over 3,659 m on Diego Garcia
Highways
short stretch of paved road between port and airfield on Diego Garcia
Ports
Diego Garcia
Telecommunications
minimal facilities; stations (operated by the US Navy)--1 AM, 1 FM, 1 TV; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station
Military and Security
Note
defense is the responsibility of the UK