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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 water: 0 sq km land: 1.4 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: | 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% other: 100% (1998 est.)
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 (July 2003 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

Waterways: | none
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 (2002)
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 18 December, 2003