Baker Island

Background: 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: Oceania, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, about half way between Hawaii and Australia. Area: total: 1.4 sq km. Area - comparative: About 2.5 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC. Coastline: 4.8 km. Maritime claims: Exclusive economic zone: 200 NM, territorial sea: 12 NM.
Climate and Terrain: Climate: Equatorial; scant rainfall, constant wind, burning sun. Terrain: Low, nearly level coral island surrounded by a narrow fringing reef. Elevation extremes: Lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m, highest point: unnamed location 8 m. Natural resources: Guano (deposits worked until 1891), terrestrial and aquatic wildlife. Land use: Arable land: 0%. Natural hazards: The narrow fringing reef surrounding the island can be a maritime hazard. Environment - current issues: No natural fresh water resources. Geography - note: 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.

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 from US Fish and Wildlife Service only and generally restricted to scientists and educators; a cemetery and remnants of structures from early settlement are located near the middle of the west coast; visited annually by US Fish and Wildlife Service.
Government: 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.
Economy overview: No economic activity.
Statistics: Ports and harbors: None; offshore anchorage only; note - there is one small boat landing area along the middle of the west coast. Airports: 1 abandoned World War II runway of 1,665 m, completely covered with vegetation and unusable. There is a day beacon near the middle of the west coast.