A revised and updated edition of Richard Edis' history of Diego Garcia, this book gives a lively account of the nature, discovery and development of the Chagos Archipelago, part of one of Britain's few remaining overseas territories. Touched by both World Wars, Diego Garcia's military role grew dramatically from the 1980s, following the controversial closure of the plantations and establishment of American naval and air staging facilities. This new edition sheds fresh light on these events and explains how the base was used in recent conflicts with Afganistan (2002) and Iraq (1991 and 2003). It concludes by describing the gradual recognition of the ecological importance of the Chagos and the growing impact of climatic changes, which threaten the Archipelago's long-term habitability.