1996 Edition
CIA World Factbook 1996 (Project Gutenberg)
Introduction
Description
the flag of the US is used
Location
0 13 N, 176 31 W -- Oceania, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to Australia Flag ----
Geography
Area
- comparative area
- about 2.5 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
- land area
- 1.4 sq km
- total area
- 1.4 sq km
Climate
equatorial; scant rainfall, constant wind, burning sun
Coastline
4.8 km
Environment
- current issues
- no natural fresh water resources
- international agreements
- NA
- natural hazards
- the narrow fringing reef surrounding the island can be a maritime hazard
Geographic coordinates
0 13 N, 176 31 W
Geographic 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
International disputes
none
Irrigated land
0 sq km
Land boundaries
0 km
Land use
- arable land
- 0%
- forest and woodland
- 0%
- meadows and pastures
- 0%
- other
- 100%
- permanent crops
- 0%
Location
Oceania, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to Australia
Map references
Oceania
Maritime claims
- exclusive economic zone
- 200 nm
- territorial sea
- 12 nm
Natural resources
guano (deposits worked until 1891)
Terrain
- low, nearly level coral island surrounded by a narrow fringing reef
- highest point
- unnamed location 8 m
- lowest point
- Pacific Ocean 0 m
People and Society
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 only and generally restricted to scientists and educators; a cemetery and cemetery ruins are located near the middle of the west coast
Government
Capital
none; administered from Washington, DC
Data code
FQ
Flag
the flag of the US is used
Name of country
- conventional long form
- none
- conventional short form
- Baker Island
Type of government
unincorporated territory of the US administered by the Fish and Wildlife Service of the US Department of the Interior as part of the National Wildlife Refuge system
Economy
Economic overview
no economic activity
Transportation
Airports
1 abandoned World War II runway of 1,665 m
Defense note
defense is the responsibility of the US; visited annually by the US Coast Guard
Ports
none; offshore anchorage only; note - there is one boat landing area along the middle of the west coast
Transportation note
there is a day beacon near the middle of the west coast Defense