rative: about 2.5 times the size of The Mall in Washington,
DC

Land boundaries: 0 km

Coastline: 4.8 km

Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM

Climate: equatorial; scant rainfall, constant wind, burning sun

Terrain: low, nearly level coral island surrounded by a narrow fringing
reef

Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point:
unnamed location 8 m

Natural resources: guano (deposits worked until 1891), terrestrial and
aquatic wildlife

Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (1998 est.)

Irrigated land: 0 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards: the narrow fringing reef surrounding the island can
be a maritime hazard

Environment - current issues: no natural fresh water resources

Geography - note: 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

Population: 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
(July 2002 est.)

Population growth rate: NA

Government Baker Island

Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form:
Baker Island

Dependency status: 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

Legal system: the laws of the US, where applicable, apply

Flag description: the flag of the US is used

Economy Baker Island

Economy - overview: no economic activity

Transportation Baker Island

Waterways: none

Ports and harbors: none; offshore anchorage only; note - there is one
small boat landing area along the middle of the west coast

Airports: 1 abandoned World War II runway of 1,665 m, completely covered
with vegetation and unusable

Transportation - note: there is a day beacon near the middle of the
west coast

Military Baker Is