World Factbook
Palmyra Atoll
Introduction
Background
The Kingdom of Hawaii claimed the atoll in 1862, and the US included it among the Hawaiian Islands when it annexed the archipelago in 1898. The Hawaii Statehood Act of 1959 did not include Palmyra Atoll, which is now part privately owned by the Nature Conservancy and part US Government-owned and administered as a nature preserve. The lagoons and surrounding waters within the 12-nautical-mile US territorial seas were transferred to the US Fish and Wildlife Service and were designated a National Wildlife Refuge in January 2001.
Geography
Location
Oceania, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, about half way between Hawaii and American Samoa
Geographic coordinates
5 52 N, 162 04 W
Map references
Oceania
Area
total: 11.9 sq km
land: 11.9 sq km
water: 0 sq km
country comparison to the world: 243
Area - comparative
about 20 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
Land boundaries
0 km
Coastline
14.5 km
Maritime claims
territorial sea: 12nm
exclusive economic zone: 200nm
Climate
equatorial, hot, and very rainy
Terrain
very lowlying atoll consists of an extensive reef, two shallow lagoons, and about 50 islets and bars covered with vegetation
Elevation
mean elevation: 2 m
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location on Sand Island 10 m
Natural resources
terrestrial and aquatic wildlife
Natural hazards
an extensive surrounding reef is only penetrated by a single western channel
Environment - current issues
a few of the islets are designated Unexploded Ordnance Areas, a legacy of US Navy occupation (1934-59), and are closed to entry; invasive plants and insects compete with native biota
Geography - note
about 50 islets covered with dense vegetation, coconut trees, and balsa-like trees up to 30 meters tall
People and Society
Population
no indigenous inhabitants (July 2014 est.)
note: variable temporary population of 4 to 20 staff and scientists of the Nature Conservancy and the US Fish and Wildlife Service
Government
Country name
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Palmyra Atoll
etymology: named for the USS Palmyra, which was shipwrecked on the reef in 1802
Dependency status
incorporated territory of the US; privately owned but administered from Washington, DC, by the Fish and Wildlife Service of the US Department of the Interior; the Office of Insular Affairs of the US Department of the Interior continues to administer nine excluded areas comprising certain tidal and submerged lands within the 12 nm territorial sea limit or within the lagoon
Legal system
the laws of the US apply where applicable
Flag description
the flag of the US is used
Military and Security
Military - note
defense is the responsibility of the US
Transportation
Airports - with unpaved runways
total: 1 (2013)
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2013)
Ports and terminals
West Lagoon
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international
none
