GeographicLocationandGeneralDescription
GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION AND GENERAL DESCRIPTION
Diego Garcia, the southernmost island in the Chagos Archipelago and a part of the British Indian Ocean Territory, is centrally located in the Indian Ocean (Figure XII-1). It is a narrow atoll 39 miles long that nearly encloses a lagoon 13 miles long and up to 6 miles wide (Figure XII-2). Depths in the lagoon range from 60 to 100 ft; numerous coral heads extend toward the surface and form hazards to navigation. Shallow reefs surround the island on the ocean side as well as within the lagoon. The new channel and anchorage area (shown in Figure XII-2) are dredged to 45 feet (mean low water springs), and the old turning basin can also be used if depth is sufficient for ship type.
Source: http://www.nrlmry.navy.mil/port_studies/thh-nc/diegogar/text/sect1.htm
