UK OVERSEAS TERRITORIES CONSERVATION FORUM
Virtual Tours: British Indian Ocean Territory
The Full Tour
Map
Introduction
Features of Natural Interest
Features of Other Interest, including Cultural
Threats / Problems / Issues
Projects / Conservation Actions
Opportunities
Organisations and Links
Tour Selection
Features of Natural Interest

The archipelago has what some report as the most pristine tropical marine environment surviving on the planet. However it is important to mention that due to the recent bleaching event, coral mortality is predicted to reach 80%. It comprises of five atolls, including the world's largest atoll; The Great Chagos Bank. The archipelago consists of shallow reefs, vast deep-sea plains and limestone platforms which cover 66,000km2 altogether.


 

A view of the coastline of an island.


© Stewart McPherson
(Features of Natural Interest, 1 of 20 - Slide ref. 811)