World Factbook
Midway Islands
Introduction
Background
The US took formal possession of the islands in 1867. The laying of the trans-Pacific cable, which passed through the islands, brought the first residents in 1903. Between 1935 and 1947, Midway was used as a refueling stop for trans-Pacific flights. The US naval victory over a Japanese fleet off Midway in 1942 was one of the turning points of World War II. The islands continued to serve as a naval station until closed in 1993. Today the islands are a US National Wildlife Refuge. From 1996 to 2002 and 2008 to 2012 the refuge was open to the public, but it is now closed.
Geography
Location
Oceania, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, about one-third of the way from Honolulu to Tokyo
Geographic coordinates
28 12 N, 177 22 W
Map references
Oceania
Area
total: 6.2 sq km
land: 6.2 sq km
water: 0 sq km
note: includes Eastern Island, Sand Island, and Spit Island
country comparison to the world: 247
Area - comparative
about nine times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
Land boundaries
0 km
Coastline
15 km
Maritime claims
territorial sea: 12nm
exclusive economic zone: 200nm
Climate
subtropical; moderated by prevailing easterly winds
Terrain
low, nearly flat
Elevation
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: water tower hill on Sand Island 15 m
Natural resources
terrestrial and aquatic wildlife
Land use
agricultural land: 0% (2011 est.)
arable land: 0% (2011 est.)/permanent crops: 0% (2011 est.)/permanent pasture: 0% (2011 est.)
forest: 0% (2011 est.)
other: 100% (2011 est.)
Irrigated land
0 sq km (2012)
Natural hazards
tropical storms
Environment - current issues
small plastic ocean debris mistaken for fish or squid by birds is fed to fledglings resulting in starvation; fishing nets that wash ashore entangle wildlife resulting in starvation or strangulation
Geography - note
the coral atoll is managed as a national wildlife refuge and was open to the public for ecotourism from 1996 to 2002 and then again from 2008 to 2012; in 2000, the lands and waters of the Midway National Wildlife Refuge were also designated as the Battle of Midway National Monument; Henderson Airfield on Sand Island continues to serve as an emergency landing field for military and civilian aircraft transiting the Pacific Ocean
People and Society
Population
no indigenous inhabitants; approximately 40 people make up the staff of US Fish and Wildlife Service and their services contractor living at the atoll (July 2014 est.)
Education expenditures
NA
Government
Country name
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Midway Islands
etymology: originally named the Middlebrook Islands after the US captain who discovered them in 1859; the name became Midway later in the 19th century and reflects the islands' position in the North Pacific Ocean roughly equidistant between North America and Asia
Dependency status
unincorporated unorganized territory of the US; formerly administered from Washington, DC, by the US Navy; on 31 October 1996, through a presidential executive order, the jurisdiction and control of the atoll was transferred to 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
Citizenship
see United States
Flag description
the flag of the US is used
Military and Security
Military - note
defense is the responsibility of the US
Transportation
Airports - with paved runways
total: 2 (2013)
1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (2013)
Airports - with unpaved runways
total: 1 (2013)
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2013)
Ports and terminals
major seaport(s): Sand Island
Transportation - note
Henderson Field on Sand Island serves as an emergency landing site for aircraft crossing the Pacific Ocean
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international
none
