1996 Edition
CIA World Factbook 1996 (Project Gutenberg)
Introduction
Description
the flag of the US is used
Location
16 45 N, 169 30 W -- Oceania, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, about one-third of the way from Hawaii to the Marshall Islands Flag ----
Geography
Area
- comparative area
- about 4.7 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
- land area
- 2.8 sq km
- total area
- 2.8 sq km
Climate
tropical, but generally dry; consistent northeast trade winds with little seasonal temperature variation
Coastline
10 km
Environment
- current issues
- no natural fresh water resources
- international agreements
- NA
- natural hazards
- NA
Geographic coordinates
16 45 N, 169 30 W
Geographic note
strategic location in the North Pacific Ocean; Johnston Island and Sand Island are natural islands, which have been expanded by coral dredging; North Island (Akau) and East Island (Hikina) are manmade islands formed from coral dredging; closed to the public; former nuclear weapons test site; site of Johnston Atoll Chemical Agent Disposal System (JACADS); some low-growing vegetation
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-third of the way from Hawaii to the Marshall Islands
Map references
Oceania
Maritime claims
- exclusive economic zone
- 200 nm
- territorial sea
- 12 nm
Natural resources
NA; guano deposits worked until depletion about 1890
Terrain
- mostly flat
- highest point
- Summit Peak 5 m
- lowest point
- Pacific Ocean 0 m
People and Society
Population
no indigenous inhabitants; note - there are 1,200 US military and civilian contractor personnel (July 1996 est.)
Government
Capital
none
Data code
JQ
Diplomatic representation in US
none (territory of the US)
Flag
the flag of the US is used
Name of country
- conventional long form
- none
- conventional short form
- Johnston Atoll
Type of government
unincorporated territory of the US administered by the US Defense Nuclear Agency (DNA) and managed cooperatively by DNA and the Fish and Wildlife Service of the US Department of the Interior as part of the National Wildlife Refuge system
US diplomatic representation
none (territory of the US)
Economy
Economic overview
Economic activity is limited to providing services to US military personnel and contractors located on the island. All food and manufactured goods must be imported.
Electricity
supplied by the management and operations contractor
Communications
Defense note
defense is the responsibility of the US
Radio broadcast stations
AM NA, FM 5, shortwave NA
Radios
NA
Telephone system
- 52 telephone lines; excellent system
- domestic
- 60-channel submarine cable, 22 DSN circuits by satellite, Autodin with standard remote terminal, digital telephone switch, Military Affiliated Radio System (MARS station), UHF/VHF air-ground radio, a link to the Pacific Consolidated Telecommunications Network (PCTN) satellite, and amateur radio
- international
- NA
Telephones
NA
Television broadcast stations
NA
Televisions
NA Defense
Transportation
Airports
- total
- 1
- with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m
- 1 (1995 est.)
Highways
- paved
- NA km
- total
- NA km
- unpaved
- NA km
Ports
Johnston Island
Railways
0 km