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

:British Indian Ocean Territory 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 Mr. T. G. HARRIS; Administrator Mr. R. G. WELLS (since NA
1991); note - both reside in the UK
Diplomatic representation:
none (dependent territory of UK)
Flag:
white with the flag of the UK 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

:British Indian Ocean Territory 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 the US. There are no
industrial or agricultural activities on the islands.
Electricity:
provided by the US military

:British Indian Ocean Territory 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; broadcast stations (operated by US Navy) - 1 AM, 1 FM, 1
TV; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station

:British Indian Ocean Territory Defense Forces

Note:
defense is the responsibility of the UK

:British Virgin Islands Geography

Total area:
150 km2
Land area:
150 km2; includes the island of Anegada
Comparative area:
about 0.8 times the size of Washington, DC
Coastline:
80 km
Maritime claims:
Exclusive fishing zone:
200 nm
Territorial sea:
3 nm
Disputes:
none
Climate:
subtropical; humid; temperatures moderated by trade winds
Terrain:
coral islands relatively flat; volcanic islands steep, hilly
Natural resources:
negligible
Land use:
arable land 20%; permanent crops 7%; meadows and pastures 33%; forest and
woodland 7%; other 33%
Environment:
subject to hurricanes and tropical sto