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NAVIGATION
Wake Island
INTRODUCTION
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Background:
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The US annexed Wake Island in 1899 for a cable station. An important air and naval base was constructed in 1940-41. In December 1941, the island was captured by the Japanese and held until the end of World War II. In subsequent years, Wake was developed as a stopover and refueling site for military and commercial aircraft transiting the Pacific. Since 1974, the island's airstrip has been used by the US military and some commercial cargo planes, as well as for emergency landings. There are over 700 landings a year on the island. |
GEOGRAPHY
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Location:
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Oceania, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to the Northern Mariana Islands |
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Geographic coordinates:
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19 17 N, 166 36 E |
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Map references:
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Oceania |
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Area:
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total: 6.5 sq km
water: 0 sq km land: 6.5 sq km |
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Area - comparative:
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about 11 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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19.3 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 |
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Terrain:
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atoll of three coral islands built up on an underwater volcano; central lagoon is former crater, islands are part of the rim |
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Elevation extremes:
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lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location 6 m |
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Natural resources:
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none |
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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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occasional typhoons |
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Environment - current issues:
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NA |
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Geography - note:
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strategic location in the North Pacific Ocean; emergency landing location for transpacific flights |
PEOPLE
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Population:
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no indigenous inhabitants
note: US military personnel have left the island, but contractor personnel remain; as of October 2001, 200 contractor personnel were present (July 2003 est.) |