2001 Edition
CIA World Factbook 2001 (Project Gutenberg)
Introduction
Airports
1 abandoned World War II runway of 1,665 m, completely covered with vegetation and unusable (2000 est.)
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
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. Baker Island Geography
Climate
equatorial; scant rainfall, constant wind, burning sun
Coastline
4.8 km
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
Disputes - international
none
Economy - overview
no economic activity Baker Island Transportation
Elevation extremes
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 8 m
Environment - current issues
no natural fresh water resources
Flag description
the flag of the US is used Baker Island Economy
Geographic coordinates
0 13 N, 176 31 W
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 Baker Island People
Irrigated land
0 sq km (1993)
Land boundaries
0 km
Land use
arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 0% forests and woodland: 0% other: 100%
Legal system
the laws of the US, where applicable, apply
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
Military - note
defense is the responsibility of the US; visited annually by the US Coast Guard Baker Island Transnational Issues
Natural hazards
the narrow fringing reef surrounding the island can be a maritime hazard
Natural resources
guano (deposits worked until 1891), terrestrial and aquatic wildlife
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.) Baker Island Government
Ports and harbors
none; offshore anchorage only; note - there is one small boat landing area along the middle of the west coast
Terrain
low, nearly level coral island surrounded by a narrow fringing reef
Transportation - note
there is a day beacon near the middle of the west coast Baker Island Military
Waterways
none