Background: The US took possession of the island in 1857 and its guano deposits were mined by US and British companies during the second half of the 19th century. In 1935 a short-lived attempt at colonization was begun on this island - as well as on nearby Howland Island - but was disrupted by World War II and thereafter abandoned. Presently the island is a National Wildlife Refuge run by the US Department of the Interior; a day beacon is situated near the middle of the west coast.

Area
Total: 1.4 km²
Land: 1.4 km²
Comparative: about 2.3 times the size of the Mall in Washington, DC

Land boundaries: none

Coastline: 4.8 km

Maritime claims
Contiguous zone: 12 nm
Continental shelf: 200 m (depth)
Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Territorial sea: 12 nm
Disputes: none

Climate: equatorial; scant rainfall, constant wind, burning sun

Terrain: low, nearly level coral island surrounded by a narrow fringing reef

Natural resources: guano (deposits worked until 1891)

Land use: arable land: 0%; permanent crops: 0%; meadows and pastures 0%; forest and woodland 0%; other 100%

Population:
Longform name: none

Environment
Current issues: treeless, sparse and scattered vegetation consisting of grasses, prostrate vines, and low growing shrubs; lacks fresh water; primarily a nesting, roosting, and foraging habitat for seabirds, shorebirds, and marine wildlife
Current issues note:

Government type:

Capital: none; administered from Washington, DC

Economy overview: no economic activity

Airports: 1 abandoned World War II runway of 1,665 m