The British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) is a unique place, with its stunning coral atolls and crystal-clear waters, it offers a serene and tranquil environment to its visitors. Although it is uninhabited, it continues to hold strategic importance for the UK, providing support for monitoring environmental and climate-related changes in the Indian Ocean and testing military communications.
Expat destinations in British Indian Ocean Territory
Demographics of British Indian Ocean Territory:
Ethnic groups
(unavailable)
Languages
(unavailable)
Religion Overview
As the Territory is uninhabited, there is no dominant religion present.
Major Religions
Climate
BIOT's climate is tropical, hot and humid with sea breezes and northeast monsoons. The atolls lie outside the cyclone belt of the Indian Ocean but lie on the fringes of the typhoon belt of the Western Pacific. The wet season runs from November to April and the drier season lasts from May to October.
Economy Overview
BIOT's economy is primarily supported by its strategic military bases that attract almost £7 million ($9.2 million) worth of investment from the UK Ministry of Defence annually.
Key Industries
- Military Bases
Major Companies
Culture and Language Overview
With no permanent population, there is no strong or distinctive culture. However, BIOT's marine eco-system and stunning landscapes offer opportunities to carry out marine research and conservation activities.
Cultural Highlights
Geography and Landmarks Overview
BIOT's terrain is flat, with coral reefs surrounding the atolls, forming lagoons inside. The six atolls comprising the Territory are Chagos, Salisbury, Perosbanhos, Egmont, Harvest, and Diego Garcia. Diego Garcia, the largest island, is the site of a British military base.
Notable Landmarks
- Diego Garcia – A Strategic Military Base
- The Coral Reefs in The Lagoons of Chagos, Salisbury, Perosbanhos, Egmont, Harvest, and Diego Garcia Atolls
National Holidays
- New Year's Day (January 1)
Political Stability
BIOT is an overseas territory of the UK governed by the British Government. The territory is not self-governing, and it does not have any locally elected council or representative assembly. As a result, decisions regarding BIOT's internal affairs are made by the UK government.
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