Kingman Reef

Kingman Reef as the 2005 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 28 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.

Position6 24 N, 162 24 W

Area1 sq km

LocationOceania, reef in the North Pacific Ocean, about half way between Hawaii and American Samoa

2005

Every edition of Kingman Reef

Populationas each edition published it

2,005 people July 2005 est. · 2,000 in 2000

Introduction

1 field

Background

The US annexed the reef in 1922. Its sheltered lagoon served as a way station for flying boats on Hawaii-to-American Samoa flights during the late 1930s. There are no terrestrial plants on the reef, which is frequently awash, but it does support abundant and diverse marine fauna and flora. In 2001, the waters surrounding the reef out to 12 nm were designated a US National Wildlife Refuge.

Geography

Oceania, reef in the North Pacific Ocean, about half way between Hawaii and American Samoa

17 fields

Land useshare of 1 sq km

permanent crops 0%other 100% (2001)arable land 0% in all · irrigated 0 sq km (1998 est.)

Area

1sq km

land: 1 sq kmwater: 0 sq kmabout 1.7 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC

Coastline

3km

land boundaries: 0 kmterritorial sea: 12 nmexclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Highest point

unnamed locationlowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

Location

Oceania, reef in the North Pacific Ocean, about half way between Hawaii and American Samoa

Geographic coordinates

6 24 N, 162 24 W

Map references

Oceania

Climate

tropical; moderated by prevailing winds

Terrain

low and nearly level

Natural resources

terrestrial and aquatic wildlife

Natural hazards

wet or awash most of the time, maximum elevation of about 1 meter makes Kingman Reef a maritime hazard

Environment - current issues

none

Geography - note

barren coral atoll with deep interior lagoon; closed to the public

People

1 field

Population

2005est.)

uninhabited (July

Government

4 fields

Country name

conventional long form:: none
conventional short form:: Kingman Reef

Dependency status

unincorporated territory of the US; administered from Washington, DC, by the US Fish and Wildlife Service of the Department of the Interior

note: on 1 September 2000, the Department of the Interior accepted restoration of its administrative jurisdiction over Kingman Reef from the Department of the Navy;

Executive Order 3223 signed 18 January 2001 established Kingman Reef National Wildlife Refuge to be administered by the Director, US Fish and Wildlife Service; this refuge is managed to protect the terrestrial and aquatic wildlife of Kingman Reef out to the 12-nautical-mile territorial sea limit