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Howland Island

2005 Edition — territory

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Economy
Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]
no economic activity
Geography
Area [time series]
total: 1.6 sq km land: 1.6 sq km water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative [time series]
about three times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
Climate [time series]
equatorial; scant rainfall, constant wind, burning sun
Coastline [time series]
6.4 km
Elevation (Elevation extremes) [time series]
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 3 m
Environment - current issues [time series]
no natural fresh water resources
Geographic coordinates [time series]
0 48 N, 176 38 W
Geography - note [time series]
almost totally covered with grasses, prostrate vines, and low-growing shrubs; small area of trees in the center; primarily a nesting, roosting, and foraging habitat for seabirds, shorebirds, and marine wildlife
Irrigated land [time series]
0 sq km
Land boundaries [time series]
0 km
Land use [time series]
arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (2001)
Location [time series]
Oceania, island in the North Pacific Ocean, about half way between Hawaii and Australia
Map references [time series]
Oceania
Maritime claims [time series]
territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Natural hazards [time series]
the narrow fringing reef surrounding the island can be a maritime hazard
Natural resources [time series]
guano (deposits worked until late 1800s), terrestrial and aquatic wildlife
Terrain [time series]
low-lying, nearly level, sandy, coral island surrounded by a narrow fringing reef; depressed central area
Government
Country name [time series]
conventional long form: none conventional short form: Howland Island
Dependency status [time series]
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
Flag (Flag description) [time series]
the flag of the US is used
Legal system [time series]
the laws of the US, where applicable, apply
Introduction
Background [time series]
Discovered by the US early in the 19th century, the island was officially claimed by the US in 1857. Both US and British companies mined for guano until about 1890. Earhart Light is a day beacon near the middle of the west coast that was partially destroyed during World War II, but has since been rebuilt; it is named in memory of the famed aviatrix Amelia EARHART. The island is administered by the US Department of the Interior as a National Wildlife Refuge.
Military
Military - note [time series]
defense is the responsibility of the US; visited annually by the US Coast Guard
People
Population [time series]
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; visited annually by US Fish and Wildlife Service (July 2005 est.)
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international [time series]
none
Transportation
Airports [time series]
airstrip constructed in 1937 for scheduled refueling stop on the round-the-world flight of Amelia EARHART and Fred NOONAN - they left Lae, New Guinea, for Howland Island, but were never seen again; the airstrip is no longer serviceable (2004 est.)
Ports (Ports and harbors) [time series]
none; offshore anchorage only; note - there is one small boat landing area along the middle of the west coast
Transportation - note [time series]
Earhart Light is a day beacon near the middle of the west coast that was partially destroyed during World War II, but has since been rebuilt; named in memory of famed aviatrix Amelia EARHART