The Sun Sets on the British Empire
10 days ago
- #Wildlife
- #Geopolitics
- #British Empire
- The British Empire still has territories where the sun never sets, thanks to Pitcairn Islands and the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT).
- The UK plans to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Archipelago (BIOT) to Mauritius, but complications arise due to US military presence and political changes.
- If BIOT is lost, the Sovereign Base Areas (SBAs) in Cyprus would become the easternmost British territory, maintaining the 'sun never sets' claim.
- The SBAs in Cyprus have complex boundaries and military significance, similar to BIOT's role for the US.
- Diego Garcia's predator trap involves dangerous hammerhead sharks during high tide, posing risks to unaware visitors.
- Coconut crabs on Diego Garcia are aggressively defensive and protected, with severe penalties for harming them.
- The article includes personal anecdotes and humorous stories, adding a lighter tone to the discussion.