Home > Factbook > Countries > British Indian Ocean Territory
| Country name | conventional long form: British Indian Ocean Territory conventional short form: none abbreviation: BIOT etymology: self-descriptive name specifying the territory's affiliation and location |
| Dependency status | overseas territory of the UK; administered by a commissioner, resident in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London |
| Legal system | the laws of the UK apply where applicable |
| Executive branch | chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952) head of government: Commissioner Ben MERRICK (since August 2017); Administrator Kit PYMAN; note - both reside in the UK and are represented by Commander Steven R. DRYSDALE, RN, commanding British Forces on Diego Garcia (since 19 February 2021) cabinet: NA elections/appointments: the monarchy is hereditary; commissioner and administrator appointed by the monarch |
| International organization participation | UPU |
| Diplomatic representation in the US | none (overseas territory of the UK) |
| Diplomatic representation from the US | embassy: none (overseas territory of the UK) |
| Flag description | white with six blue wavy horizontal stripes; the flag of the UK is in the upper hoist-side quadrant; the striped section bears a palm tree and yellow crown (the symbols of the territory) centered on the outer half of the flag; the wavy stripes represent the Indian Ocean; although not officially described, the six blue stripes may stand for the six main atolls of the archipelago |
Source: CIA World Factbook
This page was last updated on September 18, 2021
