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Baker Island
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Background:
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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 | Baker Island |
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Location:
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Oceania, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, about half way between Hawaii and Australia |
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Geographic coordinates: | 0 13 N, 176 31 W |
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Map references:
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Oceania |
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Area:
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total: 1.4 sq km
water: 0 sq km land: 1.4 sq km |
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Area - comparative:
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about 2.5 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC |
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Land boundaries:
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0 km |
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Coastline:
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4.8 km |
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Maritime claims - as described in UNCLOS 1982 (see Notes and Definitions):
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territorial sea: 12 NM
exclusive economic zone: 200 NM |
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Climate:
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equatorial; scant rainfall, constant wind, burning sun |
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Terrain:
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low, nearly level coral island surrounded by a narrow fringing reef |
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Elevation extremes:
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lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location 8 m |
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Natural resources:
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guano (deposits worked until 1891), terrestrial and aquatic wildlife |
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Land use:
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arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (1998 est.) |
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Irrigated land:
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0 sq km (1998 est.) |
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Natural hazards:
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the narrow fringing reef surrounding the island can be a maritime hazard |
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Environment - current issues:
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no natural fresh water resources |
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Geography - note:
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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 |
| People | Baker Island |
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Population:
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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 (2004 est.) |
| Government | Baker Island |
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Country name:
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conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Baker Island |
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Dependency status:
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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 |
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Legal system:
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the laws of the US, where applicable, apply |
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Flag description:
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the flag of the US is used |
| Economy | Baker Island |
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Economy - overview:
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no economic activity |
| Transportation | Baker Island |
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Waterways:
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none |
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Ports and harbors:
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none; offshore anchorage only; note - there is one small boat landing area along the middle of the west coast |
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Airports:
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1 abandoned World War II runway of 1,665 m, completely covered with vegetation and unusable (2003 est.) |
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Transportation - note:
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there is a day beacon near the middle of the west coast |
| Military | Baker Island |
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Military - note:
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defense is the responsibility of the US; visited annually by the US Coast Guard |
| Transnational Issues | Baker Island |
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Disputes - international:
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none |