The DICT Development Group
1 definition found
for Baker Island
From CIA World Factbook 2002 :
Baker Island
Introduction Baker Island
-------------------------
Background: 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 was begun on
this island - as well as on nearby
Howland Island - but was disrupted
by World War II and thereafter
abandoned. Presently the island is a
National Wildlife Refuge run by the
US Department of the Interior; a day
beacon is situated near the middle
of the west coast.
Geography Baker Island
----------------------
Location: Oceania, atoll in the North Pacific
Ocean, about half way between Hawaii
and Australia
Geographic coordinates: 0 13 N, 176 31 W
Map references: Oceania
Area: total: 1.4 sq km
water: 0 sq km
land: 1.4 sq km
Area - comparative: 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 Island
---------------------
Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the
US; visited annually by the US Coast
Guard
Transnational Issues Baker Island
---------------------------------
Disputes - international: none
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