About

The British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) was formed on 8th November 1965. It is one of 14 British Overseas Territories (OTs). The BIOT Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) covers some 640,000 square kilometres. Within that are approximately 58 islands (the nature of coral atolls means this number is ever-changing) with a combined land area of around 50 square kilometres. Diego Garcia, the largest of the islands, makes up 44 square kilometres of that, and hosts a strategically important joint UK/US military facility. There are ordinarily around 2000 people on Diego Garcia. They are mostly a mix of UK and US military personnel, BIOTA officials and civilian contractors responsible for the maintenance and operation of the military facility.