| Kingman Reef (territory of the US) |
Introduction Geography People Government Economy Transportation Military Transnational Issues

Kingman Reef | Introduction | Top of Page

Background: | The US annexed the reef in 1922. Its sheltered lagoon served as a way station for flying boats on Hawaii-to-American Samoa flights during the late 1930s. There is no flora on the reef, which is frequently awash, but it does support an abundant and diverse marine fauna. In 2001, the waters surrounding the reef were designated a National Wildlife Refuge.

Kingman Reef | Geography | Top of Page

Location: | Oceania, reef in the North Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to American Samoa

Geographic coordinates: | 6 24 N, 162 24 W

Map references: | Oceania

Area: | total: 1 sq km land: 1 sq km water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative: | about 1.7 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC

Land boundaries: | 0 km

Coastline: | 3 km

Maritime claims: | exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM

Climate: | tropical, but moderated by prevailing winds

Terrain: | low and nearly level

Elevation extremes: | lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 1 m

Natural resources: | 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 (1996)

Natural hazards: | wet or awash most of the time, maximum elevation of about 1 meter makes Kingman Reef a maritime hazard

Environment - current issues: | none

Geography - note: | barren coral atoll with deep interior lagoon; closed to the public

Kingman Reef | People | Top of Page

Population: | uninhabited (July 2001 est.)

Kingman Reef | Government | Top of Page

Country name: | conventional long form: none conventional short form: Kingman Reef

Dependency status: | unincorporated territory of the US; administered from Washington, DC, by the US Fish and Wildlife Service of the Department of the Interior note: on 1 September 2000, the Department of the Interior accepted restoration of its administrative jurisdiction over Kingman Reef from the Department of the Navy; Executive Order 3223 signed 18 January 2001 established Kingman Reef National Wildlife Refuge to be administered by the Director, US Fish and Wildlife Service; this refuge is managed to protect the terrestrial and aquatic wildlife of Kingman Reef out to the twelve nautical mile territorial sea limit

Legal system: | the laws of the US, where applicable, apply

Flag description: | the flag of the US is used

Kingman Reef | Economy | Top of Page

Economy - overview: | no economic activity

Kingman Reef | Transportation | Top of Page

Waterways: | none

Ports and harbors: | none; offshore anchorage only

Airports: | lagoon was used as a halfway station between Hawaii and American Samoa by Pan American Airways for flying boats in 1937 and 1938 (2000 est.)

Kingman Reef | Military | Top of Page

Military - note: | defense is the responsibility of the US

Kingman Reef | Transnational Issues | Top of Page

Disputes - international: | none