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
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