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Background:
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Discovered by the US early in the 19th century, the
island was officially claimed by the US in 1857. Both US
and British companies mined for guano until about 1890.
Earhart Light is a day beacon near the middle of the
west coast that was partially destroyed during World War
II, but has since been rebuilt; it is named in memory of
the famed aviatrix Amelia EARHART. The island is
administered by the US Department of the Interior as a
National Wildlife Refuge. |
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Location:
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Oceania,
island in the North Pacific Ocean, about half way
between Hawaii and Australia |
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Geographic coordinates:
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0 48 N,
176 38 W |
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Map references:
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Oceania
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Area:
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total:
1.6 sq km
land: 1.6 sq km
water: 0 sq km |
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Area - comparative:
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about
three 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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6.4 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-lying, nearly level, sandy, coral island surrounded
by a narrow fringing reef; depressed central area |
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Elevation extremes:
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lowest
point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location 3 m |
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Natural resources:
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guano
(deposits worked until late 1800s), 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
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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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almost
totally covered with grasses, prostrate vines, and
low-growing shrubs; small area of trees in the center;
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;
visited annually by US Fish and Wildlife Service (July
2005 est.) |
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Country name:
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conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Howland 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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Ports and harbors:
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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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Airports:
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airstrip
constructed in 1937 for scheduled refueling stop on the
round-the-world flight of Amelia EARHART and Fred NOONAN
- they left Lae, New Guinea, for Howland Island, but
were never seen again; the airstrip is no longer
serviceable (2004 est.) |
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Transportation - note:
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Earhart
Light is a day beacon near the middle of the west coast
that was partially destroyed during World War II, but
has since been rebuilt; named in memory of famed
aviatrix Amelia EARHART |
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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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This page was last updated on
20 October, 2005 |
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