Midway Islands

Midway Islands as the 2018 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 30 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.

Position28 12 N, 177 22 W

Area6.2 sq km

LocationOceania, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, about one-third of the way from Honolulu to Tokyo

2018

Every edition of Midway Islands

Populationas each edition published it

40 people July 2014 est. · 453 in 1990

Introduction

1 field

Background

The US took formal possession of the islands in 1867. The laying of the trans-Pacific cable, which passed through the islands, brought the first residents in 1903. Between 1935 and 1947, Midway was used as a refueling stop for trans-Pacific flights. The US naval victory over a Japanese fleet off Midway in 1942 was one of the turning points of World War II. The islands continued to serve as a naval station until closed in 1993. Today the islands are a US National Wildlife Refuge. From 1996 to 2002 and 2008 to 2012 the refuge was open to the public, but it is now closed.

Geography

Oceania, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, about one-third of the way from Honolulu to Tokyo

17 fields

Land useshare of 6.2 sq km

forest 0% (2011 est.)other 100% (2011 est.)agricultural land 0% (2011 est.) in all · arable land 0% (2011 est.) in all · permanent crops 0% (2011 est.) in all · permanent pasture 0% (2011 est.) in all · irrigated 0 sq km (2012)

Area

6.2sq km

land: 6.2 sq kmwater: 0 sq kmnote: includes Eastern Island, Sand Island, and Spit Islandabout nine times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC

Coastline

15km

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

Location

Oceania, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, about one-third of the way from Honolulu to Tokyo

Geographic coordinates

28 12 N, 177 22 W

Map references

Oceania

Climate

subtropical; moderated by prevailing easterly winds

Terrain

low, nearly flat

Elevation

0 m lowest point: Pacific Ocean; 15 highest point: water tower hill on Sand Island

Natural resources

terrestrial and aquatic wildlife

Natural hazards

tropical storms

Environment - current issues

small plastic ocean debris mistaken for fish or squid by birds is fed to fledglings resulting in starvation;
fishing nets that wash ashore entangle wildlife resulting in starvation or strangulation

Geography - note

the coral atoll is managed as a national wildlife refuge and was open to the public for ecotourism from 1996 to 2002 and then again from 2008 to 2012;
in 2000, the lands and waters of the Midway National Wildlife Refuge were also designated as the Battle of Midway National Monument;
Henderson Airfield on Sand Island continues to serve as an emergency landing field for military and civilian aircraft transiting the Pacific Ocean

People and Society

1 field

Population

no indigenous inhabitants; approximately 40 people make up the staff of US Fish and Wildlife Service and their services contractor living at the atoll (July 2014 est.)

Government

5 fields

Country name

conventional long form:: none
conventional short form:: Midway Islands
etymology:: originally named the Middlebrook Islands after the US captain who discovered them in 1859;
the name became Midway later in the 19th century and reflects the islands' position in the North Pacific Ocean roughly equidistant between North America and Asia

Dependency status

unincorporated territory of the US;
formerly administered from Washington, DC, by the US Navy;
on 31 October 1996, through a presidential executive order, the jurisdiction and control of the atoll was transferred to the Fish and Wildlife Service of the US Department of the Interior as part of the National Wildlife Refuge System