(country of origin): the US admitted 62,643 refugees
during FY04/05 including, 10,586 (Somalia), 8,549 (Laos), 6,666
(Russia), 6,479 (Cuba), 3,100 (Haiti), 2,136 (Iran) (2006)

Illicit drugs:
world's largest consumer of cocaine, shipped from Colombia through
Mexico and the Caribbean; consumer of heroin, marijuana, and
increasingly methamphetamine from Mexico; consumer of high-quality
Southeast Asian heroin; illicit producer of cannabis, marijuana,
depressants, stimulants, hallucinogens, and methamphetamine;
money-laundering center

This page was last updated on 8 February, 2007

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@United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refuges

Introduction United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refuges

Background:
The following US Pacific island territories constitute the Pacific
Remote Islands National Wildlife Refuge Complex and as such are
managed by the Fish and Wildlife Service of the US Department of
Interior. These remote refuges are the most widespread collection of
marine- and terrestrial-life protected areas on the planet under a
single country's jurisdiction. They protect many endemic species
including corals, fish, shellfish, marine mammals, seabirds, water
birds, land birds, insects, and vegetation not found elsewhere.
Baker Island: 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 began on this island but was disrupted by World War II
and thereafter abandoned. The island was established as a National
Wildlife Refuge in 1974.
Howland Island: Discovered by the US early in the 19th century, the
island was officially claimed by the US in 1857. Both US and British
companies mined for guano until about 1890. In 1935, a short-lived
attempt at colonization began on this island, similar to the effort
on nearby Baker Island, but was disrupted by World War II and
thereafter abandoned. The famed American aviatrix Amelia EARHART
disappeared while seeking out Howland Island as a refueling stop
during her 1937 round-the-world flight; Earhart Light, a day beacon
near the middle of the west coast, was named in her memory. The
island was established as a National Wildlife Refuge in 1974.
Jarvis Island: First discovered by the British