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| The World Fact Site | ||
| Baker Island |
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| Introduction | Baker Island |
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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 |
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Location: |
Oceania, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, about half way between Hawaii and Australia |
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Geographic coordinates: |
0 13 N, 176 31 W |
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Map references: |
Oceania |
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Area: |
total: 1.4 sq km
water: 0 sq km land: 1.4 sq km |
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Area - comparative: |
about 2.5 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC |
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Land boundaries: |
0 km |
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Coastline: |
4.8 km |
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Maritime claims: |
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 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% other: 100% (2001) |
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Irrigated land: |
0 sq km (1998 est.) |
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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 |
| People | Baker Island |
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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 (2004 est.) |
| Government | Baker Island |
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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 |
| Economy | Baker Island |
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Economy - overview: |
no economic activity |
| Transportation | Baker Island |
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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 (2003 est.) |
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Transportation - note: |
there is a day beacon near the middle of the west coast |
| Military | Baker Island |
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Military - note: |
defense is the responsibility of the US; visited annually by the US Coast Guard |
| Transnational Issues | Baker Island |
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Disputes - international: |
none |
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