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Location:
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archipelago in the Indian Ocean, south of India, about one-half the way from Africa to Indonesia
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Geographic coordinates:
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6 00 S, 71 30 E
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Map references:
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political map of the world
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Area:
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total: 60 sq km
note: includes the entire Chagos Archipelago
water: 0 sq km
land: 60 sq km
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Area - comparative:
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about 0.3 times the size of Washington, DC
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Land boundaries:
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0 km
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Coastline:
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698 km
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Maritime claims:
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territorial sea: 3 nm
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
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Climate:
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tropical marine; hot, humid, moderated by trade winds
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Terrain:
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flat and low (most areas do not exceed four meters in elevation)
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Elevation extremes:
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lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location on Diego Garcia 15 m
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Natural resources:
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coconuts, fish, sugarcane
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Land use:
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arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 100% (2001)
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Irrigated land:
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0 sq km (1998 est.)
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Natural hazards:
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NA
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Environment - current issues:
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NA
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Geography - note:
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archipelago of 2,300 islands; Diego Garcia, largest and southernmost island, occupies strategic location in central Indian Ocean; island is site of joint US-UK military facility
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