Flags Of British Colonies

The flag of the British Indian Ocean Territory is similar to the flags of other British dependencies and colonies as it has the Union Flag in the upper hoist-side corner. The palm tree and crown are symbols of the Indian Ocean Territory. The Flag was initially intended to be used by the Commissioner but has gained semi-official status as a territorial flag for use on land.

The British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) is an Overseas Territory of the United Kingdom situated in the Indian Ocean halfway between Tanzania and Indonesia. The territory comprises the seven atolls of the Chagos Archipelago with over 1,000 individual islands amounting to a total land area of 60 square kilometres. The largest and most southerly island is Diego Garcia, 27 square kilometres, the site of a Joint Military Facility of the United Kingdom and the United States

The flag contains the Union Flag in the top left. It depicts the waters of the Indian Ocean, where the
islands are located, in the form of white and blue wavy lines. The flag also depicts a palm tree
rising above the St Edward's Crown.

Given that it is impossible for civilians to visit the British Indian Ocean Territory, it is not clear how widely this flag is used. However, a video released by the Naval Support Facility on Diego Garcia shows a scene where the flag is being flown on land within the territory. The only settlements on the Islands are the Anglo-American naval and air facilities. The flag does indeed fly at Diego Garcia, along with the American Flag. Both are lowered at the end of the duty day.