1996 Edition
CIA World Factbook 1996 (Project Gutenberg)
Introduction
Description
the flag of the US is used
Location
0 22 S, 160 03 W -- Oceania, island in the South Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to the Cook Islands Flag ----
Geography
Area
- comparative area
- about eight times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
- land area
- 4.5 sq km
- total area
- 4.5 sq km
Climate
tropical; scant rainfall, constant wind, burning sun
Coastline
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 22 S, 160 03 W
Geographic note
sparse bunch grass, prostrate vines, and low-growing shrubs; primarily a nesting, roosting, and foraging habitat for seabirds, shorebirds, and marine wildlife; feral cats
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, island in the South Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to the Cook Islands
Map references
Oceania
Maritime claims
- exclusive economic zone
- 200 nm
- territorial sea
- 12 nm
Natural resources
guano (deposits worked until late 1800s)
Terrain
- sandy, coral island surrounded by a narrow fringing reef
- highest point
- unnamed location 23 m
- lowest point
- Pacific Ocean 0 m
People and Society
Population
uninhabited; note - Millersville settlement on western side of island occasionally used as a weather station from 1935 until World War II, when it was abandoned; reoccupied in 1957 during the International Geophysical Year by scientists who left in 1958; public entry is by special-use permit only and generally restricted to scientists and educators
Government
Capital
none; administered from Washington, DC
Data code
DQ
Flag
the flag of the US is used
Name of country
- conventional long form
- none
- conventional short form
- Jarvis 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
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 in the middle of the west coast and another near the southwest corner of the island
Transportation note
there is a day beacon near the middle of the west coast Defense