Background: Discovered by the US early in the 19th century the island was officially claimed by the US in 1857. Both US and British companies mined for guano until about 1890. Earhart Light is a day beacon near the middle of the west coast that was partially destroyed during World War II but has since been rebuilt; it is named in memory of famed aviatrix Amelia EARHART. The island is administered by the US Department of the Interior as a National Wildlife Refuge.

Area
Total: 1.6 km²
Land: 1.6 km²
Comparative: about 2.7 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC

Land boundaries: 0 km

Coastline: 6.4 km

Maritime claims
Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Territorial sea: 12 nm

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

Terrain: Low-lying, nearly level, sandy, coral island surrounded by a narrow fringing reef; depressed central area

Elevation
Extremes lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
Extremes highest point: 3 m

Natural resources: Guano (deposits worked until late 1800s)

Land use
Arable land: 0%
Permanent crops: 0%
Permanent pastures: 0%
Forests and woodland: 5%
Other: 95%

Irrigated land: 0 km²

Population: Uninhabited; note_American civilians evacuated in 1942 after Japanese air and naval attacks during World War II; occupied by U.S. military during World War II, but abandoned after the war; public entry is by special-use permit only and generally restricted to scientists and educators

Environment
Current issues: no natural fresh water resources
Current issues Natural hazards: the narrow fringing reef surrounding the island can be a maritime hazard
International agreements: NA
International agreements note: Almost totally covered with grasses, prostrate vines, and low-growing shrubs; small area of trees in the center; primarily a nesting, roosting, and foraging habitat for seabirds, shorebirds, and marine wildlife; feral cats

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

Government type: Unincorporated territory of the U.S. administered by the Fish and Wildlife Service of the U.S. Department of the Interior as part of the National Wildlife Refuge System

Capital: None; administered from Washington, DC

Flag description: The flag of the US is used

Economy overview: No economic activity