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.

Map reference: Oceania

Area
Total: 1.4 km²
Land: 1.4 km²

Land boundaries: 0 km

Coastline: 4.8 km
Contiguous zone: 12 nm
Continental shelf: 200 m or depth of exploitation
Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Territorial sea: 12 nm

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%

Irrigated land: 0 km²

Population:

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

Country name
Conventional long form: none
Conventional short form: Baker Island

Government type:

Capital: none; administered from Washington, DC

Economy overview: no economic activity

Airports: 1 abandoned World War II runway of 1,665 m
Note: there is a day beacon near the middle of the west coast

Disputes international: none