The 2003 CIA World Factbook. United States. Central Intelligence Agency

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      @Howland Island

      Introduction Howland Island

      Background:

       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.

      Geography Howland Island

      Location:

       Oceania, island in the North Pacific Ocean, about half way between

       Hawaii and Australia

      Geographic coordinates:

       0 48 N, 176 38 W

      Map references:

       Oceania

      Area:

       total: 1.6 sq km

       water: 0 sq km

       land: 1.6 sq km

      Area - comparative:

       about three times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC

      Land boundaries:

       0 km

      Coastline:

       6.4 km

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

      Climate:

       equatorial; scant rainfall, constant wind, burning sun

      Terrain:

       low-lying, nearly level, sandy, coral island surrounded by a narrow

       fringing reef; depressed central area

      Elevation extremes:

       lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

       highest point: unnamed location 3 m

      Natural resources:

       guano (deposits worked until late 1800s), 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:

       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

      People Howland 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; visited annually

       by US Fish and Wildlife Service (July 2003 est.)

      Government Howland Island

      Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Howland 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 Howland Island

      Economy - overview: no economic activity

      Transportation Howland 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:

       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 (2002)

      Transportation - note:

       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

      Military Howland Island

      Military - note:

       defense is the responsibility of the US; visited annually by the US

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