Johnston Atoll

Johnston Atoll as the 1999 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 35 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.

Position16 45 N, 169 30 W
Area2.8 sq km
LocationOceania, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, about
Populationas each edition published it
1,200 people January 1999 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 (1998)
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

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 US 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 1999 est.)

Government

5 fields

Country name

conventional long form:
none
conventional short form:
Johnston Atoll

Dependency status

unincorporated territory of the US; administered from Washington, DC, by the US Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) and managed cooperatively by DTRA and 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

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

3 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--production

NAkWh note: there are six 25,000 kWh generators supplied by the base operating support contractor

Communications

3 fields

Telephone system

13 outgoing and 10 incoming commercial lines; adequate telecommunications

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; also 1 local volunteer FM radio station;, shortwave NA;

Television broadcast stations

commercial satellite television system, with 16 channels (1997)

Transportation

3 fields

Ports and harbors

Johnston Island

Airports

1 (1998 est.)

Airports--with paved runways

total: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (1998 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 1999. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/johnston-atoll/1999.