Johnston Atoll

Johnston Atoll as the 1997 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 43 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.

Capitalnone
Position16 45 N, 169 30 W
Area2.8 sq km
LocationOceania, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, about one-third
Populationas each edition published it
1,200 people January 1997 est. · 1,203 in 1990
Population growth% a year
Not in this edition 0% in 1995

Geography

Oceania, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, about one-third | of the way from Hawaii to the Marshall Islands

18 fields

Land useshare of 2.8 sq km

forests and woodland 0%other 100%arable land 0% in all · permanent crops 0% in all · permanent pastures 0% in all · irrigated 0 sq km (1993)
Area
2.8sq km
land: 2.8 sq kmwater : 0 sq kmabout 4.7 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
Coastline
10km
land boundaries: 0 kmexclusive economic zone : 200 nmterritorial sea: 12 nm
Highest point
5m
Summit Peaklowest point : Pacific Ocean 0 m

Location

Oceania, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, about one-third of the way from Hawaii to the Marshall Islands

Geographic coordinates

16 45 N, 169 30 W

Climate

tropical, but generally dry; consistent northeast trade winds with little seasonal temperature variation

Terrain

mostly flat

Natural resources

  • NA;
  • guano deposits worked until depletion about 1890;
  • none remains in 1997

Environment - current issues

no natural fresh water resources

Environment - international agreements

party to:
NA
signed, but not ratified:
NA

Geography - note

  • strategic location in the North Pacific Ocean;
  • Johnston Island and Sand Island are natural islands, which have been expanded by coral dredging;
  • North Island (Akau) and East Island (Hikina) are manmade islands formed from coral dredging;
  • closed to the public;
  • former nuclear weapons test site;
  • site of Johnston Atoll Chemical Agent Disposal System (JACADS);
  • some low-growing vegetation

People

1 field

Population

no indigenous inhabitants note: there are 1,200 US military and civilian contractor personnel (January 1997 est.)

Government

7 fields

Country name

conventional long form:
none
conventional short form:
Johnston Atoll

Dependency status

unincorporated territory of the US; administered by the US Defense Nuclear Agency (DNA) and managed cooperatively by DNA and the Fish and Wildlife Service of the US Department of the Interior as part of the National Wildlife Refuge system

Diplomatic representation in the US

none (territory of the US)

Diplomatic representation from the US

none (territory of the US)

Flag description

the flag of the US is used

Economy

Economic activity is limited to providing services | to US military personnel and contractors located on the island.

4 fields

Economy - overview

Economic activity is limited to providing services to US military personnel and contractors located on the island. All food and manufactured goods must be imported.

Electricity - capacity

NA kW note : electricity supplied by the base operating support contractor

Electricity - production

NA kWh note: electricity supplied by the base operating support contractor

Communications

6 fields

Telephone system

52 telephone lines; excellent system

domestic:
60-channel submarine cable, 22 DSN circuits by satellite, Autodin with standard remote terminal, digital telephone switch, Military Affiliated Radio System (MARS station), UHF/VHF air-ground radio, a link to the Pacific Consolidated Telecommunications Network (PCTN) satellite
international :
NA

Radio broadcast stations

AM NA, FM 5 channels, shortwave NA

Television broadcast stations

commercial satellite television system, 16 channels

Transportation

5 fields

Highways

total :
NA km
paved:
NA km
unpaved:
NA km

Ports and harbors

Johnston Island

Airports - with paved runways

total: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (1996 est.)

Military

1 field

Military - note

defense is the responsibility of the US

Transnational Issues

1 field

Cite this entry

Central Intelligence Agency. “Johnston Atoll.” The World Factbook 1997. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/johnston-atoll/1997.