Jarvis Island

Jarvis Island as the 2002 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 29 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.

Position0 22 S, 160 03 W
Area4.5 sq km
LocationOceania, island in the South Pacific Ocean, about half way between Hawaii and the Cook Islands
Populationas each edition published it
1,935 people July 2002 est. · 1,935 in 1993

Introduction

1 field

Background

First discovered by the British in 1821, the uninhabited island was annexed by the US in 1858, but abandoned in 1879 after tons of guano had been removed. The UK annexed the island in 1889, but never carried out plans for further exploitation. The US occupied and reclaimed the island in 1935. Abandoned after World War II, the island is currently a National Wildlife Refuge administered by the US Department of the Interior; a day beacon is situated near the middle of the west coast.

Geography

Oceania, island in the South Pacific Ocean, about half way between Hawaii and the Cook Islands

17 fields

Land useshare of 4.5 sq km

permanent crops 0%other 100% (1998 est.)arable land 0% in all · irrigated 0 sq km (1998 est.)
Area
4.5sq km
water: 0 sq kmland: 4.5 sq kmabout eight times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
Coastline
8km
land boundaries: 0 kmexclusive economic zone: 200 NMterritorial sea: 12 NM
Highest point
7m
unnamed locationlowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

Location

Oceania, island in the South Pacific Ocean, about half way between Hawaii and the Cook Islands

Geographic coordinates

0 22 S, 160 03 W

Climate

tropical; scant rainfall, constant wind, burning sun

Terrain

sandy, coral island surrounded by a narrow fringing reef

Natural resources

guano (deposits worked until late 1800s), terrestrial and aquatic wildlife

Natural hazards

the narrow fringing reef surrounding the island poses a maritime hazard

Environment - current issues

no natural fresh water resources

Geography - note

sparse bunch grass, prostrate vines, and low-growing shrubs; primarily a nesting, roosting, and foraging habitat for seabirds, shorebirds, and marine wildlife

People

1 field

Population

uninhabited

note: Millersville settlement on western side of island occasionally used as a weather station from 1935 until World War II, when it was abandoned;

reoccupied in 1957 during the International Geophysical Year by scientists who left in 1958; 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 (July 2002 est.)

Government

4 fields

Country name

conventional long form:
none
conventional short form:
Jarvis Island

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

Flag description

the flag of the US is used

Economy

No economic activity

1 field

Economy - overview

no economic activity

Transportation

3 fields

Ports and harbors

  • none;
  • offshore anchorage only;
  • note - there is one small boat landing area in the middle of the west coast and another near the southwest corner of the island

Transportation - note

there is a day beacon near the middle of the west coast

Military

1 field

Military - note

defense is the responsibility of the US; visited annually by the US Coast Guard

Transnational Issues

1 field

Cite this entry

Central Intelligence Agency. “Jarvis Island.” The World Factbook 2002. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/jarvis-island/2002.