(territory of the US)
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Baker Island (territory of the US) |
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| Introduction Geography People Government Economy Transportation Military Transnational Issues | ||
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| Baker Island | Introduction | Top of Page |
| Background: | The US took possession of the island in 1857, and its guano deposits were mined by US and British companies during the second half of the 19th century. In 1935, a short-lived attempt at colonization was begun on this island - as well as on nearby Howland Island - but was disrupted by World War II and thereafter abandoned. Presently the island is a National Wildlife Refuge run by the US Department of the Interior; a day beacon is situated near the middle of the west coast. |
| Baker Island | Geography | Top of Page |
| Location: | Oceania, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to Australia |
| Geographic coordinates: | 0 13 N, 176 31 W |
| Map references: | Oceania |
| Area: |
total:
1.4 sq km
land: 1.4 sq km water: 0 sq km |
| Area - comparative: | about 2.5 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC |
| Land boundaries: | 0 km |
| Coastline: | 4.8 km |
| Maritime claims: |
exclusive economic zone:
200 NM
territorial sea: 12 NM |
| Climate: | equatorial; scant rainfall, constant wind, burning sun |
| Terrain: | low, nearly level coral island surrounded by a narrow fringing reef |
| Elevation extremes: |
lowest point:
Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location 8 m |
| Natural resources: | guano (deposits worked until 1891), terrestrial and aquatic wildlife |
| Land use: |
arable land:
0%
permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 0% forests and woodland: 0% other: 100% |
| Irrigated land: | 0 sq km (1993) |
| Natural hazards: | the narrow fringing reef surrounding the island can be a maritime hazard |
| Environment - current issues: | no natural fresh water resources |
| Geography - note: | treeless, sparse, and scattered vegetation consisting of grasses, prostrate vines, and low growing shrubs; primarily a nesting, roosting, and foraging habitat for seabirds, shorebirds, and marine wildlife |
| Baker Island | People | Top of Page |
| Population: |
uninhabited
note: American civilians evacuated in 1942 after Japanese air and naval attacks during World War II; occupied by US military during World War II, but abandoned after the war; public entry is by special-use permit from US Fish and Wildlife Service only and generally restricted to scientists and educators; a cemetery and remnants of structures from early settlement are located near the middle of the west coast; visited annually by US Fish and Wildlife Service (July 2001 est.) |
| Baker Island | Government | Top of Page |
| Country name: |
conventional long form:
none
conventional short form: Baker Island |
| Dependency status: | unincorporated territory of the US; administered from Washington, DC, by the Fish and Wildlife Service of the US Department of the Interior as part of the National Wildlife Refuge system |
| Legal system: | the laws of the US, where applicable, apply |
| Flag description: | the flag of the US is used |
| Baker Island | Economy | Top of Page |
| Economy - overview: | no economic activity |
| Baker Island | Transportation | Top of Page |
| Waterways: | none |
| Ports and harbors: | none; offshore anchorage only; note - there is one small boat landing area along the middle of the west coast |
| Airports: | 1 abandoned World War II runway of 1,665 m, completely covered with vegetation and unusable (2000 est.) |
| Transportation - note: | there is a day beacon near the middle of the west coast |
| Baker Island | Military | Top of Page |
| Military - note: | defense is the responsibility of the US; visited annually by the US Coast Guard |
| Baker Island | Transnational Issues | Top of Page |
| Disputes - international: | none |