British Indian Ocean Territory: Flag and Facts
The flag of the British Indian Ocean Territory is white with six wavy blue stripes, the UK flag in the upper-left corner, and a palm tree with a yellow crown on the right.
- Capital
- Diego Garcia
- Region
- Eastern Africa
- Languages
- English
- Currency
- United States dollar
- Area
- 60 km² (23 sq mi)
- People
- Indian
- Calling code
- +246
- Highest point
- ocean-side dunes on Diego Garcia 9 m
- Borders
- No land borders
- Status
- Territory (not a sovereign country)
About British Indian Ocean Territory
The wavy lines represent the Indian Ocean, and the count of six may match the six main atolls. The palm tree and crown are the territory's own symbols.
This group of islands was once run as part of the British colony of Mauritius and became a separate UK overseas territory in 1965. Some islands went to the Seychelles when that country became independent in 1976. What remains are the six main island groups of the Chagos Archipelago. Of these, only Diego Garcia, the biggest and southernmost island, has people on it, and it holds a joint UK and US naval support base plus one of four ground antennas that help keep the GPS navigation system working. The islands are flat, low coral atolls.
Did you know?
- The highest point in the territory is a set of sand dunes on Diego Garcia, just 9 meters high.
- Most of the land in the territory rises no more than 2 meters above the sea.
- The territory uses the US dollar.
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Questions about British Indian Ocean Territory
What is the capital of the British Indian Ocean Territory?
Diego Garcia is listed as the capital, and it is the only inhabited island.
How big is the British Indian Ocean Territory?
Its land area is about one-third of the area of Washington, D.C.
Sources
- CIA World Factbook, checked October 8, 2026
- REST Countries data (mledoze/countries), checked October 8, 2026
- Flag artwork: flag-icons (MIT), checked October 8, 2026
Facts are compiled from these open sources and rewritten in our own words. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.