NAVIGATION
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NAVIGATION
Kingman Reef
INTRODUCTION
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Background:
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The US annexed the reef in 1922. Its sheltered lagoon served as a way station for flying boats on Hawaii-to-American Samoa flights during the late 1930s. There are no terrestrial plants on the reef, which is frequently awash, but it does support abundant and diverse marine fauna and flora. In 2001, the waters surrounding the reef out to 12 NM around the reef were designated a US National Wildlife Refuge. |
GEOGRAPHY
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Location:
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Oceania, reef in the North Pacific Ocean, about half way between Hawaii and American Samoa |
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Geographic coordinates:
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6 24 N, 162 24 W |
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Map references:
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Oceania |
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Area:
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total: 1 sq km
water: 0 sq km land: 1 sq km |
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Area - comparative:
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about 1.7 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC |
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Land boundaries:
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0 km |
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Coastline:
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3 km |
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Maritime claims:
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exclusive economic zone: 200 NM
territorial sea: 12 NM |
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Climate:
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tropical, but moderated by prevailing winds |
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Terrain:
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low and nearly level |
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Elevation extremes:
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lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location 1 m |
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Natural resources:
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terrestrial and aquatic wildlife |
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Land use:
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arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (1998 est.) |
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Irrigated land:
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0 sq km (1998 est.) |
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Natural hazards:
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wet or awash most of the time, maximum elevation of about 1 meter makes Kingman Reef a maritime hazard |
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Environment - current issues:
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none |
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Geography - note:
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barren coral atoll with deep interior lagoon; closed to the public |
PEOPLE
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Population:
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uninhabited (July 2002 est.) |