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Guide
Introduction
| |
| 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. |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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.) |
| 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 |
| Economy
- overview: |
no economic activity |
| 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 |
| Military
- note: |
defense is the responsibility
of the US; visited annually by the US Coast Guard |
| Disputes
- international: |
none |
|
