Disputes - international: none
This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005
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@Baker Island
Introduction 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.
Geography Baker Island
Location:
Oceania, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, about half way between
Hawaii and 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: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 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% other: 100% (2001)
Irrigated land:
0 sq km (1998 est.)
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
People Baker Island
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 (2005 est.)
Government Baker Island
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 Baker Island
Economy - overview: no economic activity
Transportation Baker Island
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 (2004 est.)
Transportation - note:
there is a day beacon near the middle of the west coast
Military Baker Island
Military - note:
defense is the responsibility of the US; visited annually by the US
Coast Guard
Transnational Issues Baker Island
Disputes - international: none
This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005
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