World Factbook
Jarvis Island
Introduction
Background
First discovered by the British in 1821, the uninhabited island was annexed by the US in 1858 but abandoned in 1879 after tons of guano deposits had been removed for use in producing fertilizer. The UK annexed the island in 1889 but never carried out plans for further exploitation. The US occupied and reclaimed the island in 1935. Abandoned after World War II, the island is currently a National Wildlife Refuge administered by the US Department of the Interior.
Geography
Location
Oceania, island in the South Pacific Ocean, about half way between Hawaii and the Cook Islands
Geographic coordinates
0 22 S, 160 01 W
Map references
Oceania
Area
total: 4.5 sq km
land: 4.5 sq km
water: 0 sq km
country comparison to the world: 252
Area - comparative
about eight times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
Land boundaries
0 km
Coastline
8 km
Maritime claims
territorial sea: 12nm
exclusive economic zone: 200nm
Climate
tropical; scant rainfall, constant wind, burning sun
Terrain
sandy, coral island surrounded by a narrow fringing reef
Natural resources
guano (deposits worked until late 1800s), terrestrial and aquatic wildlife
Natural hazards
the narrow fringing reef surrounding the island poses a maritime hazard
Environment - current issues
no natural fresh water resources
Geography - note
sparse bunch grass, prostrate vines, and low-growing shrubs; primarily a nesting, roosting, and foraging habitat for seabirds, shorebirds, and marine wildlife
People and Society
Population
uninhabited
note: Millersville settlement on western side of island occasionally used as a weather station from 1935 until World War II, when it was abandoned; reoccupied in 1957 during the International Geophysical Year by scientists who left in 1958; 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: Jarvis Island
etymology: named after three brothers JARVIS, the owners of the British ship from which the island was discovered in 1821
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 periodically by the US Coast Guard
Transportation
Ports and terminals
none; offshore anchorage only; note - there is one small boat landing area in the middle of the west coast and another near the southwest corner of the island
Transportation - note
there is a day beacon near the middle of the west coast
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international
none
