World Factbook
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, a day beacon near the middle of the west coast, was partially destroyed during World War II, but subsequently 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.
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 sq km
land: 1.6 sq km
water: 0 sq km
country comparison to the world: 256
Area - comparative
about three times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
Land boundaries
0 km
Coastline
6.4 km
Maritime claims
territorial sea: 12nm
exclusive economic zone: 200nm
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
Natural resources
guano (deposits worked until late 1800s), terrestrial and aquatic wildlife
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 and Society
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
Government
Country name
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Howland Island
etymology: named after the lookout on a whaling vessel who spotted the island in 1842
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 apply where applicable
Flag description
the flag of the US is used
Military and Security
Military - note
defense is the responsibility of the US; visited annually by the US Coast Guard (2019)
Transportation
Ports and terminals
none; offshore anchorage only; note - there is one small boat landing area along the middle of the west coast
Transportation - note
Earhart Light, a day beacon near the middle of the west coast, was partially destroyed during World War II but rebuilt during the 1960s; today it is crumbling and in poor repair; named in memory of famed aviatrix Amelia EARHART
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international
none
