World Factbook
Kingman Reef
Introduction
Background
The US annexed the reef in 1922. Its sheltered lagoon served as a way station for flying boats on Hawaii-to-American Samoa flights during the late 1930s. There are no terrestrial plants on the reef, which is frequently awash, but it does support abundant and diverse marine fauna and flora. In 2001, the waters surrounding the reef out to 12 nm were designated a US National Wildlife Refuge.
Geography
Location
Oceania, reef in the North Pacific Ocean, about half way between Hawaii and American Samoa
Geographic coordinates
6 24 N, 162 22 W
Map references
Oceania
Area
total: 1 sq km
land: 1 sq km
water: 0 sq km
country comparison to the world: 257
Area - comparative
about 1.7 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
Land boundaries
0 km
Coastline
3 km
Maritime claims
territorial sea: 12nm
exclusive economic zone: 200nm
Climate
tropical; moderated by prevailing winds
Terrain
low and nearly level
Natural resources
terrestrial and aquatic wildlife
Natural hazards
wet or awash most of the time, maximum elevation of about 1 meter makes Kingman Reef a maritime hazard
Environment - current issues
illegal foreign fishing; marine debris washing up on reef can entangle and kill wildlife
Geography - note
barren coral atoll with deep interior lagoon; closed to the public
People and Society
Population
uninhabited
Government
Country name
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Kingman Reef
etymology: although discovered in 1798, the reef is named after Captain W. E. KINGMAN who described it in 1853
Dependency status
unincorporated territory of the US; administered from Washington, DC, by the US Fish and Wildlife Service of the Department of the Interior
note: on 1 September 2000, the Department of the Interior accepted restoration of its administrative jurisdiction over Kingman Reef from the Department of the Navy; Executive Order 3223 signed 18 January 2001 established Kingman Reef National Wildlife Refuge to be administered by the Director, US Fish and Wildlife Service; this refuge is managed to protect the terrestrial and aquatic wildlife of Kingman Reef out to the 12 nm territorial sea limit
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
Ports and terminals
none; offshore anchorage only
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international
none
