2004 Edition
CIA World Factbook 2004 (Project Gutenberg)
Introduction
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.
Geography
Area
- land
- 1.4 sq km
- total
- 1.4 sq km
- water
- 0 sq km
Area - comparative
about 2.5 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
Climate
equatorial; scant rainfall, constant wind, burning sun
Coastline
4.8 km
Elevation extremes
- highest point
- unnamed location 8 m
- lowest point
- Pacific Ocean 0 m
Environment - current issues
no natural fresh water resources
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
Irrigated land
0 sq km (1998 est.)
Land boundaries
0 km
Land use
- arable land
- 0%
- other
- 100% (2001)
- permanent crops
- 0%
Location
Oceania, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, about half way between Hawaii and Australia
Map references
Oceania
Maritime claims
- exclusive economic zone
- 200 nm
- territorial sea
- 12 nm
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
Terrain
low, nearly level coral island surrounded by a narrow fringing reef
People and Society
Population
- uninhabited
- 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 (2004 est.)
- note
- American civilians evacuated in 1942 after Japanese air and
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
Flag description
the flag of the US is used
Legal system
the laws of the US, where applicable, apply
Economy
Economy - overview
no economic activity
Transportation
Airports
1 abandoned World War II runway of 1,665 m, completely covered with vegetation and unusable (2003 est.)
Ports and harbors
none; offshore anchorage only; note - there is one small boat landing area along the middle of the west coast
Transportation - note
there is a day beacon near the middle of the west coast
Military and Security
Military - note
defense is the responsibility of the US; visited annually by the US Coast Guard
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international
none This page was last updated on 10 February, 2005 @Bangladesh