Diego Garcia is the largest atoll in Chagos Archipelago, in terms of land area. It is located in the Indian Ocean, about 1,600 km (1,000 miles) to the south of the southern coast of India. A British Indian Ocean Territory, it now serves exclusively as a military reservation. Spread over 6720 acres, the atoll assumed the shape of a footprint on the ocean surface, when seen from air. This is the reason why Diego Garcia has been nicknamed as "Footprint of Freedom". Shallow reefs can be seen surrounding the island on the ocean side and also remain scattered inside the lagoon. In case you want to know more about Diego Garcia, make use of the fun and interesting facts.
Fun & Interesting Facts About Diego Garcia
- Diego Garcia is an atoll located at 7 Degrees South Latitude, off the tip of India.
- Diego Garcia is the largest atoll in Chagos Archipelago, in terms of land area.
- Diego Garcia is a part of the British Indian Ocean Territory.
- Diego Garcia, as a part of Chagos archipelago, was leased to the United Kingdom in the 1960s.
- United Kingdom and United States entered an agreement in 1971, under which US set up a military base Diego Garcia.
- Since setting up a base in Diego Garcia, United States has enforced the controversial depopulation program.
- One of the five ground antennas that assist the operation of the Global Positioning System (GPS) has been set up in Diego Garcia.
- The island of Diego Garcia is spread over an area of 6,720 acres.
- The maximum elevation of Diego Garcia is 22 feet.
- The shape of Diego Garcia is that of a horseshoe and it has a perimeter of approximately 40 miles.
- Diego Garcia was initially an ancient volcano. However, it has now been reduced to an atoll, surrounding a central lagoon.
- Diego Garcia receives about 100 inches of rainfall every year.
- The island of Diego Garcia stretches for 15 miles, north to south, and about 35 miles from tip to tip of its horseshoe shape.
- The interior lagoon of Diego Garcia is 13 miles in length and 6.5 miles at its widest point.
- During the 19th century, the island of Diego Garcia was used for the purpose of plantations, producing copra and coconut oils.
