Baker Island:
Geography

Pages for other countries and territories

Other pages in this profile of Baker Island:
People, Government, Economy, Communications & Transportation, Military & Transnational Issues.


Background	Definition The US took possession of the island in 1857, and its guano deposits were mined by US and British companies during the second half of the 19th century. In 1935, a short-lived attempt at colonization was begun on this island - as well as on nearby Howland Island - but was disrupted by World War II and thereafter abandoned. Presently the island is a National Wildlife Refuge run by the US Department of the Interior; a day beacon is situated near the middle of the west coast.

Location	Definition Oceania, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, about half way between Hawaii and Australia
Geographic coordinates	Definition 0 13 N, 176 28 W
Map references	Definition Oceania
Area	Definition total: 1.4 sq km land: 1.4 sq km water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative	Definition about 2.5 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
Land boundaries	Definition 0 km
Coastline	Definition 4.8 km
Maritime claims	Definition territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate	Definition equatorial; scant rainfall, constant wind, burning sun
Terrain	Definition low, nearly level coral island surrounded by a narrow fringing reef
Elevation extremes	Definition lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 8 m
Natural resources	Definition guano (deposits worked until 1891), terrestrial and aquatic wildlife
Land use	Definition arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (2005)
Irrigated land	Definition 0 sq km
Natural hazards	Definition the narrow fringing reef surrounding the island can be a maritime hazard
Environment - current issues	Definition no natural fresh water resources
Geography - note	Definition treeless, sparse, and scattered vegetation consisting of grasses, prostrate vines, and low growing shrubs; primarily a nesting, roosting, and foraging habitat for seabirds, shorebirds, and marine wildlife

Baker Island: Geography

Baker Island:
Geography