Palmyra Atoll

Palmyra Atoll as the 2014 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 26 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.

Position5 52 N, 162 04 W
Area11.9 sq km
LocationOceania, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, about half way between Hawaii and American Samoa
Populationas each edition published it
4 people July 2014 est. · 2,000 in 2000

Introduction

1 field

Background

The Kingdom of Hawaii claimed the atoll in 1862, and the US included it among the Hawaiian Islands when it annexed the archipelago in 1898. The Hawaii Statehood Act of 1959 did not include Palmyra Atoll, which is now part privately owned by the Nature Conservancy and part US Government-owned and administered as a nature preserve. The lagoons and surrounding waters within the 12-nautical-mile US territorial seas were transferred to the US Fish and Wildlife Service and were designated a National Wildlife Refuge in January 2001.

Geography

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

16 fields

Land useshare of 11.9 sq km

permanent crops 0%other 100% (forests and woodlands) (2011)arable land 0% in all
Area
11.9sq km
land: 11.9 sq kmwater: 0 sq kmabout 20 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
Coastline
14.5km
land boundaries: 0 kmterritorial sea: 12 nmexclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Highest point
2m
unnamed locationlowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

Location

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

Geographic coordinates

5 52 N, 162 04 W

Climate

equatorial, hot, and very rainy

Terrain

very low

Natural resources

terrestrial and aquatic wildlife

Geography - note

about 50 islets covered with dense vegetation, coconut trees, and balsa-like trees up to 30 meters tall

People and Society

1 field

Population

no indigenous inhabitants note: variable temporary population of 4 to 20 staff and scientists of the the Nature Conservancy and the US Fish and Wildlife Service (July 2014 est.)

Government

4 fields

Country name

conventional long form:
none
conventional short form:
Palmyra Atoll

Dependency status

  • incorporated territory of the US;
  • privately owned, but administered from Washington, DC, by the Fish and Wildlife Service of the US Department of the Interior;
  • the Office of Insular Affairs of the US Department of the Interior continues to administer nine excluded areas comprising certain tidal and submerged lands within the 12 nm territorial sea or within the lagoon

Flag description

the flag of the US is used

Transportation

2 fields

Airports - with unpaved runways

total: 1; 1,524 to 2,437 m:; 1 (2013)

Military

1 field

Military - note

defense is the responsibility of the US

Transnational Issues

1 field

Cite this entry

Central Intelligence Agency. “Palmyra Atoll.” The World Factbook 2014. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/palmyra-atoll/2014.