Howland Island Geography Location: Oceania, island in the North Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to Australia Geographic coordinates: 0 48 N, 176 38 W Map references: Oceania Area: total: 1.6 sq km land: 1.6 sq km water: 0 sq km AreaÑcomparative: about three times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 6.4 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm Climate: equatorial; scant rainfall, constant wind, burning sun Terrain: low-lying, nearly level, sandy, coral island surrounded by a narrow fringing reef; depressed central area Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 3 m Natural resources: guano (deposits worked until late 1800s) Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 0% forests and woodland: 5% other: 95% Irrigated land: 0 sq km (1993) Natural hazards: the narrow fringing reef surrounding the island can be a maritime hazard EnvironmentÑcurrent issues: no natural fresh water resources EnvironmentÑinternational agreements: party to: NA signed, but not ratified: NA GeographyÑnote: 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; feral cats People 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 only and generally restricted to scientists and educators Government Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Howland Island Data code: HQ 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: NA Flag description: the flag of the US is used Economy EconomyÑoverview: no economic activity Transportation Ports and harbors: none; offshore anchorage only; noteÑthere is one boat landing area along the middle of the west coast Airports: airstrip constructed in 1937 for scheduled refueling stop on the round-the-world flight of Amelia Earhart and Fred NoonanÑthey left Lae, New Guinea, for Howland Island, but were never seen again; the airstrip is no longer serviceable TransportationÑnote: 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 MilitaryÑnote: defense is the responsibility of the US; visited annually by the US Coast Guard Transnational Issues DisputesÑinternational: none