phy Howland Island

Location: Oceania, island in the North Pacific Ocean, about half way
between Hawaii and Australia

Geographic coordinates: 0 48 N, 176 38 W

Map references: Oceania

Area: total: 1.6 sq km water: 0 sq km land: 1.6 sq km

Area - comparative: about three times the size of The Mall in Washington,
DC

Land boundaries: 0 km

Coastline: 6.4 km

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

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

Terrain: low-lying, nearly level, sandy, coral island surrounded by a
narrow fringing reef; depressed central area

Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point:
unnamed location 3 m

Natural resources: guano (deposits worked until late 1800s), 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: almost totally covered with grasses, prostrate vines,
and low-growing shrubs; small area of trees in the center; primarily
a nesting, roosting, and foraging habitat for seabirds, shorebirds,
and marine wildlife

People Howland 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; visited annually
by US Fish and Wildlife Service (July 2002 est.)

Population growth rate: NA

Government Howland Island

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

Economy - overview: no economic activity

Transportation Howland Island

Waterways: none

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