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Factors
From The World Factbook -- Baker Island
| 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.
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| Location: |
Oceania, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to Australia
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| Geographic coordinates: |
0 13 N, 176 31 W
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| Area: |
total:
1.4 sq km
land:
1.4 sq km
water:
0 sq km
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| Area - comparative: |
about 2.5 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
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| Maritime claims: |
exclusive economic zone:
200 NM
territorial sea:
12 NM
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| Climate: |
equatorial; scant rainfall, constant wind, burning sun
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| Terrain: |
low, nearly level coral island surrounded by a narrow fringing reef
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| Elevation extremes: |
lowest point:
Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point:
unnamed location 8 m
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| Natural resources: |
guano (deposits worked until 1891), terrestrial and aquatic wildlife
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| Land use: |
arable land:
0%
permanent crops:
0%
permanent pastures:
0%
forests and woodland:
0%
other:
100%
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| Irrigated land: |
0 sq km (1993)
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| Natural hazards: |
the narrow fringing reef surrounding the island can be a maritime hazard
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| Environment - current issues: |
no natural fresh water resources
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| 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
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| 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.)
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| Country name: |
conventional long form:
none
conventional short form:
Baker Island
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| 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
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| Legal system: |
the laws of the US, where applicable, apply
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| Flag description: |
the flag of the US is used
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| Economy - overview: |
no economic activity
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| Ports and harbors: |
none; offshore anchorage only; note - there is one small boat landing area along the middle of the west coast
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| Airports: |
1 abandoned World War II runway of 1,665 m, completely covered with vegetation and unusable (2000 est.)
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| Transportation - note: |
there is a day beacon near the middle of the west coast
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| Military - note: |
defense is the responsibility of the US; visited annually by the US Coast Guard
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| Disputes - international: |
none
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* based on information from the CIA World Factbook
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