epression of the 1930s. Buoyed by victories in World Wars
I and II and the end of the Cold War in 1991, the US remains the
world's most powerful nation state. The economy is marked by steady
growth, low unemployment and inflation, and rapid advances in
technology.

United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refuges
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 in 1821, the
uninhabited island was annexed by the US in 1858, but abandoned in
1879 after tons of guano had been removed. The UK annexed the island
in 1889, but never carried out plans for further exploitation. The
US occupied and reclaimed the island in 1935 until it was abandoned
in 1942 during World War II. The island was established as a
National Wildlife Refuge in 1974.
Johnston Atoll: Both the US and the Kingdom of Hawaii annexed
Johnston Atoll in 1858, but it was the