Explanation:
Diego Garcia is an atoll located in the central Indian Ocean. It is part of the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT), which is a British overseas territory. Diego Garcia is the largest island of the atoll and has been a significant military base for the United States since the 1970s.
- Geographical Location: It is situated approximately 1,000 miles south of India and Sri Lanka and about 1,200 miles north of Antarctica.
- Military Significance: Diego Garcia is home to a major U.S. military base, primarily used for naval and air force operations. It is strategically important for military operations in the Middle East, Asia, and Africa.
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Current Status: Diego Garcia remains under British control, but the U.S. military maintains a significant presence there. The Chagossian people, who were displaced, have sought the right to return to the island through legal and political means.