Howland Island

1. Howland Island Introduction

Background:
  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. Earhart Light is a day beacon near the middle of the west
  coast that was partially destroyed during World War II, but has since been
  rebuilt; it is named in memory of the famed aviatrix Amelia EARHART. The
  island is administered by the US Department of the Interior as a National
  Wildlife Refuge.

2. Howland Island Geography

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 km
  water: 0 km
  land: 1.6 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 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

3. Howland Island People

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

4. Howland Island Government

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

5. Howland Island Economy

Economy - overview:
  no economic activity

6. Howland Island Transportation

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:
  airstrip constructed in 1937 for scheduled refueling stop on the round-
  the-world flight of Amelia EARHART and Fred NOONAN - they left Lae, New
  Guinea, for Howland Island, but were never seen again; the airstrip is no
  longer serviceable

Transportation - note:
  Earhart Light is a day beacon near the middle of the west coast that was
  partially destroyed during World War II, but has since been rebuilt; named
  in memory of famed aviatrix Amelia EARHART

7. Howland Island Military

Military - note:
  defense is the responsibility of the US; visited annually by the US Coast
  Guard

8. Howland Island Transnational Issues

Disputes - international:
  none
