25 Facts About Chagos Islands

Location and Geography

The Chagos Archipelago is a fascinating group of islands with a unique geographical setting in the Indian Ocean. Let's explore some interesting facts about its location and structure.

1. The Chagos Archipelago is situated in the central Indian Ocean, about 500 kilometers south of the Maldives. It spans an ocean area of roughly 640,000 square kilometers, with a total land area of around 60 square kilometers.

2. The archipelago comprises seven atolls: Blenheim Reef, Egmont Reef, Diego Garcia, Salomon Islands, Peros Banhos, Eagle Islands, and Egmont Islands. Additionally, there are nine reefs and banks, most of which are submerged atoll structures.

3. Diego Garcia is the largest island in the Chagos Archipelago, covering 44 square kilometers. It hosts the US Naval Support Facility, a joint US-UK naval and airbase.

History and Settlement

The Chagos Islands have a rich history that includes periods of colonization, settlement, and significant geopolitical changes.

4. The Chagos Islands were uninhabited until the late 18th century when the French established copra plantations using slave labor in 1793. The islands were later ceded to Britain in 1814 as part of the Treaty of Paris.

5. The population of the Chagos Islands mainly consisted of contract employees from Mauritius and Seychelles. However, in the 1960s, the British government decided to expel the inhabitants to make way for a US military base on Diego Garcia. Between 1968 and 1973, approximately 1,200 to 2,500 indigenous inhabitants were relocated to Mauritius and Seychelles.

6. Today, the only inhabitants of Diego Garcia are employees of the US military and civilian contractors. The UK and US governments strictly control access to the island, with no unauthorized vessels or yachts permitted to approach within 3 nautical miles.

Marine Protected Area and Ecosystem

The Chagos Archipelago is not only significant for its strategic location but also for its rich and diverse marine ecosystem.

7. In 2010, the British Indian Ocean Territory Commissioner declared a 640,000 square kilometer ‘no-take’ marine protected area around the Chagos Archipelago. This is one of the largest marine protected areas in the world, providing maximum protection against commercial fishing and extractive activities.

8. The Chagos Archipelago is home to an astonishing diversity of life. It contains the world's largest coral atoll, The Great Chagos Bank, which supports half the total area of good quality reefs in the Indian Ocean. The archipelago shelters populations of turtles, coconut crabs, and numerous species of fish, including rays, skates, and over 50 different types of shark.

9. More than 300 species of coral and 800 different types of fish can be found in the Chagos Archipelago. The tropical ecosystem enables a kaleidoscope of wildlife to thrive, making it a breeding ground for many vulnerable species.

Human Rights and Legal Disputes

The history of the Chagos Islands is also marked by significant human rights concerns and ongoing legal disputes.

10. The expulsion of the Chagossians has been widely criticized as a violation of human rights. Despite a British High Court ruling in 2000 granting the right of return, no timetable has been set for their repatriation. This has led to ongoing legal and political disputes between Mauritius and the UK.

11. The Chagos Archipelago is part of the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT), one of 14 British Overseas Territories. It is administered from London by the British Indian Ocean Territory Administration, which controls all access to the Territory and issues permits for travel.

12. The Chagos Islands were claimed by the United Kingdom as part of the BIOT in 1965. However, Mauritius has long claimed sovereignty over the islands, arguing that they were part of its territory before being detached by the UK.

Environmental and Economic Impact

The Chagos Islands have significant environmental and economic implications, both historically and in contemporary times.

13. The Chagos Archipelago is crucial for marine conservation. The declaration of the marine protected area has doubled the global no-take area and provided protection to approximately 1.5% of the total global area of near-surface coral reefs.

14. The closure of the copra plantations in the 1970s led to the economic decline of the islands. The UK paid Mauritius a £3 million grant in recognition of the detachment of the Chagos Archipelago and committed to ceding the islands to Mauritius when no longer required for defense purposes.

15. The UK provided compensation arrangements for the Chagossians in the 1970s (£650,000 to Mauritius for resettlement) and the 1980s (a further £4 million to Mauritius and representatives of the Chagossians in the form of a trust fund).

Current Communities and Scientific Research

Despite the challenges, the Chagos Islands continue to be a focus for various communities and scientific endeavors.

16. There are small communities of Chagossians based in Crawley, Sussex, and Manchester. Additionally, communities of former islanders and their descendants remain in Seychelles and Mauritius.

17. The British Indian Ocean Territory Administration has facilitated several visits to the Territory by the eldest Chagossians and a program of environmental training for UK-based Chagossians. This allows some to become involved in scientific work in the Territory.

Historical Exploration and Culture

The Chagos Islands have a rich cultural and exploratory history that adds to their unique character.

18. The Chagos Islands were first explored by Portuguese explorers in the 16th century. The French established a colony on Diego Garcia in 1793, and the British took control in 1814. Various foreigners have visited the islands over the years, including the French and British multiple times.

19. The workers on the Chagos Islands formed an inter-island culture called Ilois, a French Creole word meaning "Islanders." This culture developed after emancipation in 1840, when many descendants of former slaves stayed on the islands to work.

20. Commander Robert Moresby conducted a survey of the Chagos Islands on behalf of the British Admiralty in 1837-38. This survey charted the archipelago with relative accuracy for the first time, providing detailed measurements of most of the atolls and reefs.

Geological Formation and Coral Atolls

The geological formation of the Chagos Islands is as fascinating as its history and culture.

21. The Chagos Islands are part of the Chagos-Laccadive Ridge, a long submarine mountain range in the Indian Ocean formed by volcanoes above the Réunion hotspot. The islands are low-lying atolls, save for a few extremely small instances set around lagoons.

22. The Chagos Archipelago contains the world's largest coral atoll, The Great Chagos Bank. This atoll supports half the total area of good quality reefs in the Indian Ocean and has proven resilient to climate change and environmental disruptions.

Marine Ecosystems and Conservation Efforts

The Chagos Islands' marine ecosystems are vital for global biodiversity and conservation efforts.

23. The unique habitats of the Chagos Archipelago include shallow reefs, vast deep-sea plains, and limestone platforms. It also features 86 sea mounts and 243 deep-sea knolls, providing a diverse marine ecosystem.

24. The protection of the Chagos Archipelago is crucial due to its vulnerability to over-fishing, pollution, and irresponsible development. The declaration of the marine protected area has significantly contributed to marine conservation efforts globally.

25. The dispute over the Chagos Islands has been taken to the International Court of Justice. Philippe Sands QC, Mauritius Counsel at the International Court of Justice and ITLOS, has argued that Mauritius is entitled to exercise control over these islands as rapidly as possible, given the historical and legal claims.

The Chagos Islands: A Complex Tapestry

The Chagos Islands are a fascinating blend of history, geography, and environmental significance. From their strategic location in the Indian Ocean to the unique ecosystems they harbor, these islands are more than just a dot on the map. The expulsion of the Chagossians and the ongoing sovereignty disputes highlight the human and political complexities surrounding this archipelago. Despite these challenges, the marine protected area established in 2010 underscores the global importance of conserving this pristine environment. The islands' rich biodiversity, including the world's largest coral atoll, makes them a crucial area for marine life. As debates continue over their future, the Chagos Islands remain a symbol of both natural beauty and human resilience. Understanding their past and present helps us appreciate the delicate balance required to protect such unique places.