Peros Banhos

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Peros Banhos is a group of thirty-five main islands in the Chagos Archipelago of the British Indian Ocean Territory, forming a circular coral reef. They were discovered in 1513 by Alfonso d'Albuquerque.

The most important island in the group is Ile du Coin home to the main port, and since 1756 home to a population of up to 500 people. In 1970, the entire population of the group was expelled by the British Government to live in Mauritius. More recently, the islands have been investigated as a possible location for resettlement, although access is currently prohibited.

Other important islands in the group include Grande Soeur, Ile Diamant, Ile Poule, Ile Pierre and Ile Yeye.

All islands to the east of a line drawn between the easternmost point of land on Moresby Island (north) and the easternmost point of land on Fouquet Island (south) fall within the Peros Banhos Atoll Strict Nature Reserve.

List of Islands

  • Ile Du Coin
  • Ile Longue
  • Grande Soeur
  • Petite Soeur
  • Moresby Island
  • Grande Ile Coquillage
  • Petite Ile Coquillage
  • Coin Du Mire
  • Ile De La Passe
  • Ile Manon
  • Ile Manoel
  • Ile Pierre
  • Ile Diamant
  • Ile Poule
  • Ile Fouquet
  • Ile Vache Marine
  • Ile Yeye
  • Grande Ile Bois Mangues
  • Petite Ile Bois Mangues
  • Ile Anglaise
  • Ile Saint-Brandon


edit Atolls of the Chagos Archipelago (British Indian Ocean Territory) Flag of the British Indian Ocean Territory
Atolls with land area: Diego García | Egmont Islands | Peros Banhos | Salomon Islands | Great Chagos Bank | Blenheim Reef | Speakers Bank
Totally submerged atolls: Colvocoresses Reef | Benares Shoals | Victory Bank | Cauvin Bank | Pitt Bank | Ganges Bank | Wight Bank | Centurion Bank | Owen Bank


Coordinates: 5°20′S 71°51′E

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