Background: This uninhabited island was claimed by the US in 1857 for its guano. Mining took place between 1865 and 1898. The lighthouse built in 1917 was shut down in 1996 and administration of Navassa Island transferred from the US Coast Guard to the Department of the Interior Office of Insular Affairs. A 1998 scientific expedition to the island described it as a 'unique preserve of Caribbean biodiversity.' The following year it became a National Wildlife Refuge and annual scientific expeditions have continued.

Geographic coordinates: 18 25 N 75 02 W

Map reference: Central America and the Caribbean

Area
Total: 5.4 km²
Land: 5.4 km²
Water: 0 km²
Rank: 248
Comparative: about nine times the size of the National Mall in Washington DC

Land boundaries: 0 km

Coastline: 8 km

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

Climate: marine tropical

Terrain: raised flat to undulating coral and limestone plateau; ringed by vertical white cliffs (9 to 15 m high)

Elevation
Mean elevation: NA
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m: highest point: unnamed elevation on southwest side 77 m

Natural resources: guano

Land use
Agricultural land: 0%
Forest: 0%
Other: 100%

Natural hazards: hurricanes

Geography
Note: strategic location 160 km south of the US Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay Cuba; mostly exposed rock with numerous solution holes (limestone sinkholes) but with enough grassland to support goat herds; dense stands of fig trees scattered cactus

Population: uninhabited
Note: transient Haitian fishermen and others camp on the island

Environment
Current issues: NA

Country name
Conventional long form: none
Conventional short form: Navassa Island
Etymology: the flat island was named 'Navaza' by some of Christopher COLUMBUS' sailers in 1504; the name derives from the Spanish term 'nava' meaning 'flat land plain or field'

Legal system: the laws of the US where applicable apply

Diplomatic representation
From the us: none (territory of the US)

Flag description: the flag of the US is used

Economy overview: Subsistence fishing and commercial trawling occur within refuge waters.

Ports and terminals: none; offshore anchorage only

Disputes international: claimed by Haiti source of subsistence fishing