Background: 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 became 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. Operations on the island were temporarily suspended and all personnel evacuated in 2006 with the approach of super typhoon IOKE (category 5), but resultant damage was comparatively minor. A US Air Force repair team restored full capability to the airfield and facilities, and the island remains a vital strategic link in the Pacific region.

Geographic coordinates: 19 17 N, 166 39 E

Map reference: Oceania

Area
Total: 6.5 km²
Land: 6.5 km²
Water: 0 km²
Rank: 246
Comparative: about 11 times the size of the National Mall in Washington, DC

Land boundaries: 0 km

Coastline: 19.3 km

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

Climate: tropical

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

Elevation: 0 m
Note: lowest point: Pacific Ocean

Natural resources: none

Land use
Agricultural land: 0% (2011 est.)
Forest: 0% (2011 est.)
Other: 100% (2011 est.)

Irrigated land: 0 km² (2012)

Natural hazards: subject to occasional typhoons

Geography
Note: strategic location in the North Pacific Ocean; emergency landing location for transpacific flights

Population
Note: no indigenous inhabitants (2018 est.): note: approximately 100 military personnel and civilian contractors maintain and operate the airfield and communications facilities

Environment
Current issues: potable water obtained through a catchment rainwater system and a desalinization plant for brackish ground water; hazardous wastes moved to an accumulation site for storage and eventual transport off site via barge

Country name
Conventional long form: none
Conventional short form: Wake Island
Etymology: although first discovered by British Captain William WAKE in 1792, the island is named after British Captain Samuel WAKE who rediscovered the island in 1796

Legal system: US common law

Citizenship: see United States

Flag description: the flag of the US is used

Economy 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.

Telephone system
General assessment: satellite communications; 2 Defense Switched Network circuits off the Overseas Telephone System (OTS); located in the Hawaii area code - 808

Broadcast media: American Armed Forces Radio and Television Service (AFRTS) provides satellite radio/TV broadcasts (2018)

Airports: 1 (2018)
Rank: 238
With paved runways total: 1 (2018)
With paved runways 2438 to 3047 m: 1 (2018)

Ports and terminals: none; two offshore anchorages for large ships

Disputes international: claimed by Marshall Islands