2003 Edition

Airports

airstrip constructed in 1937 for scheduled refueling stop on the round-the-world flight of Amelia EARHART and Fred NOONAN - they left Lae, New Guinea, for Howland Island, but were never seen again; the airstrip is no longer serviceable (2002)

Area

land

1.6 sq km

total

1.6 sq km

water

0 sq km

Area - comparative

about three times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC

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 is a day beacon near the middle of the west coast that was partially destroyed during World War II, but has since been 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 Howland Island

Climate

equatorial; scant rainfall, constant wind, burning sun

Coastline

6.4 km

Country name

conventional long form

none

conventional short form

Howland Island

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

Disputes - international

none This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003

Economy - overview

no economic activity Transportation Howland Island

Elevation extremes

highest point

unnamed location 3 m

lowest point

Pacific Ocean 0 m

Environment - current issues

no natural fresh water resources

Flag description

the flag of the US is used Economy Howland Island

Geographic coordinates

0 48 N, 176 38 W

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 Howland Island

Irrigated land

0 sq km (1998 est.)

Land boundaries

0 km

Land use

arable land

0%

other

100% (1998 est.)

permanent crops

0%

Legal system

the laws of the US, where applicable, apply

Location

Oceania, island in the North Pacific Ocean, about half way between Hawaii and Australia

Map references

Oceania

Maritime claims

exclusive economic zone

200 NM

territorial sea

12 NM

Military - note

defense is the responsibility of the US; visited annually by the US Coast Guard Transnational Issues Howland Island

Natural hazards

the narrow fringing reef surrounding the island can be a maritime hazard

Natural resources

guano (deposits worked until late 1800s), terrestrial and aquatic wildlife

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 (July 2003 est.) Government Howland Island

Ports and harbors

none; offshore anchorage only; note - there is one small boat landing area along the middle of the west coast

Terrain

low-lying, nearly level, sandy, coral island surrounded by a narrow fringing reef; depressed central area

Transportation - note

Earhart Light is a day beacon near the middle of the west coast that was partially destroyed during World War II, but has since been rebuilt; named in memory of famed aviatrix Amelia EARHART Military Howland Island

Waterways

none