British Indian Ocean Territory:
Government


Country name	Definition conventional long form: British Indian Ocean Territory conventional short form: none abbreviation: BIOT
Dependency status	Definition overseas territory of the UK; administered by a commissioner, resident in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London
Legal system	Definition the laws of the UK, where applicable, apply
Executive branch	Definition chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952) head of government: Commissioner Leigh TURNER (since July 2006); Administrator Tony HUMPHRIES (since February 2005); note - both reside in the UK and are represented by the officer commanding British Forces on Diego Garcia cabinet: NA elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; commissioner and administrator appointed by the monarch
Diplomatic representation in the US	Definition none (overseas territory of the UK)
Diplomatic representation from the US	Definition none (overseas territory of the UK)
Flag description	Definition white with six blue wavy horizontal stripes; the flag of the UK is in the upper hoist-side quadrant; the striped section bears a palm tree and yellow crown centered on the outer half of the flag