Wake Island
Wake Island as the 2007 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 IOKE (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: since super typhoon IOKE, a small military contingent along with 75 contractor personnel have returned to the island to conduct clean-up and restore basic operations on the island (July 2007 est.)
Government
4 fieldsDependency status
- unorganized, unincorporated territory of the US;
- administered from Washington, DC, by the Department of the Interior;
- activities in the atoll are currently 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; 2 DSN circuits off the Overseas Telephone System (OTS)
- domestic:
- NA
- international:
- NA
Radio broadcast stations
AM 0, FM 0, shortwave 0 (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;
- the US Air Force is responsible for overall administration and operation of the island;
- the launch support facility is administered by the US Missile Defense Agency (MDA)
Transnational Issues
1 fieldCite this entry
Central Intelligence Agency. “Wake Island.” The World Factbook 2007. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/wake-island/2007.