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Howland Island

2020 Edition — territory

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Geography
Area [time series]
total: 2 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
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
Land boundaries [time series]
0 km
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 | etymology: named after the lookout on a whaling vessel who spotted the island in 1842
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 apply where applicable
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, a day beacon near the middle of the west coast, was partially destroyed during World War II, but subsequently 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 and Security
Military - note [time series]
defense is the responsibility of the US; visited annually by the US Coast Guard (2019)
People and Society
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
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international [time series]
none
Transportation
Ports (Ports and terminals) [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, a day beacon near the middle of the west coast, was partially destroyed during World War II but rebuilt during the 1960s; today it is crumbling and in poor repair; named in memory of famed aviatrix Amelia EARHART