Wake Island
Wake Island as the 2006 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 34 fields, one of 36 editions from 1990 to 2025.
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Introduction
1 fieldBackground
The US annexed Wake Island in 1899 for a cable station. An important air and naval base was constructed in 1940-41. In December 1941, the island was captured by the Japanese and held until the end of World War II. In subsequent years, Wake was developed as a stopover and refueling site for military and commercial aircraft transiting the Pacific. Since 1974, the island's airstrip has been used by the US military, as well as for emergency landings.
All operations on the island were suspended and all personnel evacuated in August 2006 with the approach of super typhoon Loke (category 5), which struck the island with sustained winds of 250 kph and a 6 m storm surge inflicting major damage. A US Air Force assessment and repair team returned to the island in September and restored limited function to the airfield and facilities. The future status of activities on the island will be determined upon completion of the survey and assessment.
Geography
Oceania, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to the Northern Mariana Islands
17 fieldsLand useshare of 6.5 sq km
Location
Oceania, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to the Northern Mariana Islands
Terrain
atoll of three low coral islands, Peale, Wake, and Wilkes, built up on an underwater volcano; central lagoon is former crater, islands are part of the rim
Geography - note
strategic location in the North Pacific Ocean; emergency landing location for transpacific flights
People
1 fieldPopulation
no indigenous inhabitants note: US military personnel have left the island, but contractor personnel remain; as of October 2001, 200 contractor personnel were present (July 2006 est.)
Government
4 fieldsDependency status
- unincorporated territory of the US;
- administered from Washington, DC, by the Department of the Interior;
- activities on the island are conducted by the US Air Force
Economy
Economic activity is limited to providing services to military personnel and contractors located on the island.
2 fieldsEconomy - overview
Economic activity is limited to providing services to military personnel and contractors located on the island. All food and manufactured goods must be imported.
Communications
3 fieldsTelephone system
- general assessment:
- satellite communications; 1 DSN circuit off the Overseas Telephone System (OTS)
- domestic:
- NA
- international:
- NA
Radio broadcast stations
AM 0, FM 0, shortwave 0 note: Armed Forces Radio/Television Service (AFRTS) radio service provided by satellite (2005)
Television broadcast stations
0 note: Armed Forces Radio/Television Service (AFRTS) radio service provided by satellite (2005)
Transportation
4 fieldsAirports by runway lengthpaved only
Transportation - note
there are no commercial or civilian flights to and from Wake Island, except in direct support of island missions; emergency landing is available
Military
1 fieldMilitary - note
defense is the responsibility of the US; launch support facility is part of the Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defense Test Site (RTS) administered by US Army Space and Missile Defense Command (SMDC)
Transnational Issues
1 fieldCite this entry
Central Intelligence Agency. “Wake Island.” The World Factbook 2006. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/wake-island/2006.