Diego Garcia is a small island located in the central Indian Ocean, part of the British Indian Ocean Territory. It is known for its strategic military importance and is home to a significant U.S. military base. The island covers about 44 square miles and is surrounded by a coral reef, making it a unique ecological environment. The island was originally inhabited by the Chagossians, who were forcibly removed in the 1960s and 1970s to make way for the military base. Today, Diego Garcia serves as a key logistical and operational hub for U.S. and allied forces in the region.