_#_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 #_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 #_Long-form name: British Indian Ocean Territory (no short-form name); abbreviated BIOT