Baker Island
 | Territory of the U.S. |
Geography 
Economy 
Defense Forces
People 
Transportation 
Government
Communications 
History 
Travel
GEOGRAPHY
Location
Oceania, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to Australia
Area
- Total area: 1.4 sq km
- Land area: 1.4 sq km
- Comparative area: about 2.3 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
International Disputes
None
Climate
Equatorial; scant rainfall, constant wind, burning sun
Terrain
Low, nearly level coral island surrounded by a narrow fringing reef
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: 8 m
Natural Resources
- Guano (deposits worked until 1891)
Land Use
- Arable land: 0%
- Permanent crops: 0%
- Meadows and pastures: 0%
- Forest and woodland: 0%
- Other: 100%
Irrigated Land
0 sq km
Environment
- Current issues: no natural fresh water resources
- Natural hazards: the narrow fringing reef surrounding the island can be a maritime hazard
- International agreements: NA
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 U.S. military during World War II, but abandoned after the war; public entry is by special-use permit only and generally restricted to scientists and educators; a cemetery and cemetery ruins are located near the middle of the west coast
GOVERNMENT
Names
- Conventional long form: none
- Conventional short form: Baker Island
Digraph
FQ
Type
Unincorporated territory of the U.S. administered by the Fish and Wildlife Service of the U.S. Department of the Interior as part of the National Wildlife Refuge system
Capital
None; administered from Washington, DC
Flag
The flag of the U.S. is used
ECONOMY
Overview
No economic activity
TRANSPORTATION
Ports
None; offshore anchorage only; note - there is one boat landing area along the middle of the west coast
Airports
1 abandoned World War II runway of 1,665 m
Note: There is a day beacon near the middle of the west coast
DEFENSE FORCES
Note: Defense is the responsibility of the U.S.; visited annually by the U.S. Coast Guard
DEFENSE FORCES
Note: Entrance only with a special permit, which is usually only granted to scientists, educators and military personnel. If you obtain a permit expect the island to be windy, rainy, hot and abandoned
History
World Atlas
Last modified: 12 november 1997
