Chagos Archipelago, Disputed archipelago in British Indian Ocean Territory.
The Chagos Archipelago is a disputed island group in the Indian Ocean belonging to seven atolls with more than sixty small islands. Diego Garcia forms the largest single atoll and hosts the only inhabited settlement within this vast marine area.
France claimed the islands in the 18th century before Britain took control in 1814 and administered them with Mauritius. Between 1967 and 1973, the British government forcibly relocated all residents to establish a military base for American forces.
Islanders spoke Chagos Creole and developed coconut harvesting and fishing methods adapted to isolated atoll life. Today, abandoned settlements and overgrown plantations on uninhabited islands recall this vanished community.
Access requires military or scientific authorization, as most islands remain closed to civilians. Diego Garcia is not open to tourists and serves only military personnel and approved contractors.
The Great Chagos Bank forms the largest coral atoll on Earth and covers an area comparable to a mid-sized country. Its lagoons shelter coral reefs and fish species found in few other marine reserves.
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