<text id=94CT0177><title>British Indian Ocean Territory—Government</title>
<article><source>CIA Factbook</source>
<hdr>The World Factbook 1994: British Indian Ocean Territory<nl>Government</hdr><body>
<list>
<item><hi format=bold>Names:</hi>
<list style=hang>
<item>• <hi format=ital>conventional long form:</hi> British Indian Ocean Territory
<item>• <hi format=ital>conventional short form:</hi> none
</list>
<item><hi format=bold>Abbreviation:</hi> BIOT
<item><hi format=bold>Digraph:</hi> IO
<item><hi format=bold>Type:</hi> dependent territory of the UK
<item><hi format=bold>Capital:</hi> none
<item><hi format=bold>Independence:</hi> none (dependent territory of the UK)
<item><hi format=bold>Executive branch:</hi>
<list style=hang>
<item>• <hi format=ital>chief of state:</hi> Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952)
<item>• <hi format=ital>head of government:</hi> Commissioner Thomas GEORGE (since September 1991); Administrator Mr. R. G. WELLS (since NA 1991); note—both reside in the UK
</list>
<item><hi format=bold>Diplomatic representation in US:</hi> none (dependent territory of the UK)
<item><hi format=bold>US diplomatic representation:</hi> none (dependent territory of the UK)
<item><hi format=bold>Flag:</hi> white with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and six blue wavy horizontal stripes bearing a palm tree and yellow crown centered on the outer half of the flag