CIA World Factbook 2001: Baker Island

The following is reproduced from the CIA World Factbook (where additional information is available). It is compiled and published annually by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) of the United States government.

The text is unchanged, except that the "Map Reference" section is omitted. Otherwise, only the layout and order was adapted for this website.

This entry in the original Factbook for the year 2001 was based on information available at 1 January 2001.

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.

Economic Overview: no economic activity

Geography

Location:	Oceania, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to Australia
Geographic coordinates:	0 13 N, 176 31 W
Area:	Total: 1.4 sq km land: 1.4 sq km water: 0 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% permanent pastures: 0% forests and woodland: 0% other: 100%
Irrigated land:	0 sq km (1993)
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

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 2001 est.)

Government

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:
Flag description:	The flag of the US is used

Economy

Transportation

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 (2000 est.)
Transportation - note:	There is a day beacon near the middle of the west coast