The Chagos Archipelago (/ ˈtʃɑːɡəs, - ɡoʊs /) or Chagos Islands (formerly the Bassas de Chagas, [2] and later the Oil Islands) is a group of seven atolls comprising more than 60 islands in the Indian Ocean about 500 kilometres (310 mi) south of the Maldives archipelago.

The British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) is an Overseas Territory of the United Kingdom situated in the Indian Ocean, halfway between Tanzania and Indonesia. The territory comprises the seven atolls of the Chagos Archipelago with over 1,000 individual islands, many very small, amounting to a total land area of 60 square kilometres (23 square ...

In 1965, the United Kingdom split the Chagos Archipelago away from Mauritius with the agreement of the Mauritian government, and the islands of Aldabra, Farquhar, and Desroches from the Seychelles, to form the British Indian Ocean Territory. The islands were formally established as an overseas territory of the United Kingdom on 8 November 1965.

Jan 26, 2025 · Chagos Archipelago, island group in the central Indian Ocean, located about 1,000 miles (1,600 km) south of the southern tip of the Indian subcontinent. It is coterminous with the British Indian Ocean.

The chain of Indian Ocean islands are claimed by Mauritius but are actually more than 2,000km away from the African nation. Chagos has seven atolls and around 60 islands; of these, Diego Garcia is ...

Nov 27, 2023 · In 1965 – just three years before Mauritius gained its independence – Britain detached the Chagos Archipelago from its Indian Ocean colony to form the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT). This decision allowed London to retain control over these strategic islands after Mauritius became independent.

Apr 27, 2021 · British Indian Ocean Territory includes all the 55 islands of the Chagos Archipelago and occupies a total land area of 60 km2 and about 54,340 km2 of ocean.

The islands of the Chagos Archipelago were uninhabited until the late 18th century, when the French established copra plantations using slave labour in 1793. The islands have been British territory since 1814 when they were ceded to Britain with Mauritius (which then included the …

The Chagos Archipelago is located in the Indian Ocean, and forms the British Indian Ocean Territory. It is home to an astonishing diversity of life, and acts as a refuge for many threatened species. By conserving and restoring this precious environment, we can contribute to important marine conservation and learn much about the natural ...

The archipelago is located in the Indian Ocean, and forms the British Indian Ocean Territory. It is home to an astonishing diversity of life, and acts as a refuge for many threatened species.