Howland Island
Howland Island as the 2016 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 24 fields, one of 24 editions from 1990 to 2020.
field in that editiontext changed from the edition beforenot in that editionthe open editionEach field below ends in its editions, 1990 to 2025. Point at a year above to follow it down.
No fields match. Try a shorter word.
Introduction
1 fieldBackground
Discovered by the US early in the 19th century, the island was officially claimed by the US in 1857. Both US and British companies mined for guano until about 1890. Earhart Light, a day beacon near the middle of the west coast, was partially destroyed during World War II, but subsequently rebuilt; it is named in memory of the famed aviatrix Amelia EARHART. The island is administered by the US Department of the Interior as a National Wildlife Refuge.
Geography
Oceania, island in the North Pacific Ocean, about half way between Hawaii and Australia
14 fieldsTerrain
low-lying, nearly level, sandy, coral island surrounded by a narrow fringing reef; depressed central area
Geography - note
- 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
People and Society
1 fieldPopulation
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; visited annually by US Fish and Wildlife Service
Government
4 fieldsCountry name
- conventional long form:
- none
- conventional short form:
- Howland Island
- etymology:
- named after the lookout on a whaling vessel who spotted the island in 1842
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
Transportation
2 fieldsPorts and terminals
- none;
- offshore anchorage only;
- note - there is one small boat landing area along the middle of the west coast
Transportation - note
- Earhart Light, a day beacon near the middle of the west coast, was partially destroyed during World War II but rebuilt during the 1960s;
- today it is crumbling and in poor repair;
- named in memory of famed aviatrix Amelia EARHART
Military and Security
1 fieldTransnational Issues
1 fieldCite this entry
Central Intelligence Agency. “Howland Island.” The World Factbook 2016. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/howland-island/2016.