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  Baker Island  
Flag of Baker Island
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  Introduction
  Geography
  People
  Government
  Economy
  Communications
  Transportation
  Military
  Transnational Issues

In general, information available as of 1 January 2002
was used in the preparation of The World Factbook 2002.


This page was last updated on 19 March 2003


Map of Baker Island

Legend: Definition Definition Field Listing Field Listing
   Introduction    Baker Island
Background:
Definition Field Listing
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:
Definition Field Listing
Oceania, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, about half way between Hawaii and Australia
Geographic coordinates:
Definition Field Listing
0 13 N, 176 31 W
Map references:
Definition Field Listing
Oceania
Area:
Definition Field Listing
total: 1.4 sq km
water: 0 sq km
land: 1.4 sq km
Area - comparative:
Definition Field Listing
about 2.5 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
Definition Field Listing
0 km
Coastline:
Definition Field Listing
4.8 km
Maritime claims:
Definition Field Listing
exclusive economic zone: 200 NM
territorial sea: 12 NM
Climate:
Definition Field Listing
equatorial; scant rainfall, constant wind, burning sun
Terrain:
Definition Field Listing
low, nearly level coral island surrounded by a narrow fringing reef
Elevation extremes:
Definition Field Listing
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location 8 m
Natural resources:
Definition Field Listing
guano (deposits worked until 1891), terrestrial and aquatic wildlife
Land use:
Definition Field Listing
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 100% (1998 est.)
Irrigated land:
Definition Field Listing
0 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards:
Definition Field Listing
the narrow fringing reef surrounding the island can be a maritime hazard
Environment - current issues:
Definition Field Listing
no natural fresh water resources
Geography - note:
Definition Field Listing
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:
Definition Field Listing
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 2002 est.)
   Government    Baker Island
Country name:
Definition Field Listing
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Baker Island
Dependency status:
Definition Field Listing
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:
Definition Field Listing
the laws of the US, where applicable, apply
Flag description:
Definition Field Listing
the flag of the US is used
   Economy    Baker Island
Economy - overview:
Definition Field Listing
no economic activity

   Transportation    Baker Island
Waterways:
Definition Field Listing
none
Ports and harbors:
Definition Field Listing
none; offshore anchorage only; note - there is one small boat landing area along the middle of the west coast
Airports:
Definition Field Listing
1 abandoned World War II runway of 1,665 m, completely covered with vegetation and unusable
Transportation - note:
Definition Field Listing
there is a day beacon near the middle of the west coast
   Military    Baker Island
Military - note:
Definition Field Listing
defense is the responsibility of the US; visited annually by the US Coast Guard
   Transnational Issues    Baker Island
Disputes - international:
Definition Field Listing
none

This page was last updated on 19 March 2003


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