BBS/britishi
| File Name: | britishi.txt |
|---|---|
| Author: | Unknown |
| Date: | Unknown |
| Posting BBS: | Unknown |
| Key Words: | Politics |
BRITISH INDIAN OCEAN TERRITORY
[edit | edit source](dependent territory of the UK)
GEOGRAPHY
[edit | edit source]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: the entire Chagos Archipelago 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: arable land 0%; permanent crops 0%; meadows and pastures 0%; forest and woodland 0%; other 100%
Environment: archipelago of 2,300 islands
Note: Diego Garcia, largest and southernmost island, occupies strategic location in central Indian Ocean
PEOPLE
[edit | edit source]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
[edit | edit source]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 and Administrator R. EDIS (since NA 1988); note--resides in the UK
Diplomatic representation: none (dependent territory of the 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
ECONOMY
[edit | edit source]Overview:
[edit | edit source]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
COMMUNICATIONS
[edit | edit source]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
[edit | edit source]Note:' defense is the responsibility of the UK
