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Background:
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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. |
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Location:
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Oceania,
atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, about half way between
Hawaii and Australia |
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Geographic coordinates:
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0 13 N,
176 28 W |
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Map references:
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Oceania
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Area:
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total:
1.4 sq km
land: 1.4 sq km
water: 0 sq km |
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Area - comparative:
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about 2.5
times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC |
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Land boundaries:
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0 km |
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Coastline:
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4.8 km
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Maritime claims:
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territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm |
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Climate:
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equatorial; scant rainfall, constant wind, burning sun
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Terrain:
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low,
nearly level coral island surrounded by a narrow
fringing reef |
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Elevation extremes:
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lowest
point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location 8 m |
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Natural resources:
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guano
(deposits worked until 1891), terrestrial and aquatic
wildlife |
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Land use:
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arable
land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 100% (2001) |
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Irrigated land:
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0 sq km
(1998 est.) |
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Natural hazards:
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the
narrow fringing reef surrounding the island can be a
maritime hazard |
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Environment - current issues:
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no
natural fresh water resources |
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Geography - note:
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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 |
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Population:
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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.) |
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Country name:
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conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Baker Island |
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Dependency status:
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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:
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the laws
of the US, where applicable, apply |
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Flag description:
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the flag
of the US is used |
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Economy - overview:
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no
economic activity |
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Airports:
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1
abandoned World War II runway of 1,665 m, completely
covered with vegetation and unusable (2004 est.) |
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Ports and terminals:
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none;
offshore anchorage only; note - there is one small boat
landing area along the middle of the west coast |
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Transportation - note:
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there is
a day beacon near the middle of the west coast |
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Military - note:
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defense
is the responsibility of the US; visited annually by the
US Coast Guard |
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Disputes - international:
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none |
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