Defense expenditures:
exchange rate conversion - $1.1 billion, 0.3% of GDP (1990)
:British Indian Ocean Territory Geography
Total area:
60 km2
Land area:
60 km2; includes the island of Diego Garcia
Comparative area:
about 0.3 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
none
Coastline:
698 km
Maritime claims:
Territorial sea:
UK announced establishment of 200-nm fishery zone in August 1991
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; island is site of joint US-UK military facility
:British Indian Ocean Territory People
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
: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 storms from July to October
Note:
strong ties to nearby US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico
:British Virgin Islands People
Population:
12,555 (July 1992), growth rate 1.2% (1992)
Birth rate:
20 births/1,000 population (1992)
Death rate:
6 deaths/1,000 population (1992)
Net migration rate:
—2 migrants/1,000 population (1992)
Infant mortality rate:
20 deaths/1,000 live births (1992)
Life expectancy at birth:
71 years male, 75 years female (1992)
Total fertility rate:
2.3 children born/woman (1992)
Nationality:
noun - British Virgin Islander(s); adjective - British Virgin Islander
Ethnic divisions:
over 90% black, remainder of white and Asian origin
Religions:
Protestant 86% (Methodist 45%, Anglican 21%, Church of God 7%, Seventh-Day
Adventist 5%, Baptist 4%, Jehovah's Witnesses 2%, other 2%), Roman Catholic
6%, none 2%, other 6% (1981)
Languages:
English (official)
Literacy:
98% (male 98%, female 98%) age 15 and over