Johnston Atoll (2008) | Johnston Atoll (2006) | |
Airports | 1 (2007) | 1
note: non-operational (2006) |
Airports - with paved runways | total: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2007) |
total: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2006) |
Area | total: 2.63 sq km
land: 2.63 sq km water: 0 sq km |
total: 2.63 sq km
land: 2.63 sq km water: 0 sq km |
Area - comparative | about 4.7 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC | about 4.7 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC |
Background | Both the US and the Kingdom of Hawaii annexed Johnston Atoll in 1858, but it was the US that mined the guano deposits until the late 1880s. Johnston Island and Sand Island were designated wildlife refuges in 1926. The US Navy took over the atoll in 1934, and subsequently the US Air Force assumed control in 1948. The site was used for high-altitude nuclear tests in the 1950s and 1960s, and until late in 2000 the atoll was maintained as a storage and disposal site for chemical weapons. Munitions destruction is now complete. Cleanup and closure of the facility ended in May 2005. | Both the US and the Kingdom of Hawaii annexed Johnston Atoll in 1858, but it was the US that mined the guano deposits until the late 1880s. Johnston and Sand Islands were designated wildlife refuges in 1926. The US Navy took over the atoll in 1934, and subsequently the US Air Force assumed control in 1948. The site was used for high-altitude nuclear tests in the 1950s and 1960s, and until late in 2000 the atoll was maintained as a storage and disposal site for chemical weapons. Munitions destruction is now complete. Cleanup and closure of the facility was completed by May 2005. |
Climate | tropical, but generally dry; consistent northeast trade winds with little seasonal temperature variation | tropical, but generally dry; consistent northeast trade winds with little seasonal temperature variation |
Coastline | 34 km | 34 km |
Country name | conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Johnston Atoll |
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Johnston Atoll |
Dependency status | unincorporated territory of the US; administered from Honolulu, HI, by Pacific Air Forces, Hickam Air Force Base, and the Fish and Wildlife Service of the US Department of the Interior as part of the National Wildlife Refuge system | unincorporated territory of the US; administered from Honolulu, HI, by Pacific Air Forces, Hickam Air Force Base, and the Fish and Wildlife Service of the US Department of the Interior as part of the National Wildlife Refuge system |
Disputes - international | none | none |
Economy - overview | no economic activity | no economic activity |
Elevation extremes | lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Summit Peak 5 m |
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Summit Peak 5 m |
Environment - current issues | no natural fresh water resources | no natural fresh water resources |
Flag description | the flag of the US is used | the flag of the US is used |
Geographic coordinates | 16 45 N, 169 31 W | 16 45 N, 169 31 W |
Geography - note | strategic location in the North Pacific Ocean; Johnston Island and Sand Island are natural islands, which have been expanded by coral dredging; North Island (Akau) and East Island (Hikina) are manmade islands formed from coral dredging; the egg-shaped reef is 34 km in circumference; closed to the public; a former US nuclear weapons test site; site of now-closed Johnston Atoll Chemical Agent Disposal System (JACADS); most facilities dismantled and cleanup complete in 2004; some low-growing vegetation | strategic location in the North Pacific Ocean; Johnston Island and Sand Island are natural islands, which have been expanded by coral dredging; North Island (Akau) and East Island (Hikina) are manmade islands formed from coral dredging; the egg-shaped reef is 34 km in circumference; closed to the public; a former US nuclear weapons test site; site of now-closed Johnston Atoll Chemical Agent Disposal System (JACADS); most facilities dismantled and cleanup complete in 2004; some low-growing vegetation |
Irrigated land | 0 sq km | 0 sq km |
Land boundaries | 0 km | 0 km |
Land use | arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (2005) |
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (2005) |
Legal system | the laws of the US, where applicable, apply | the laws of the US, where applicable, apply |
Location | Oceania, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean 717 nm (1328 km) southwest of Honolulu, Hawaii, about one-third of the way from Hawaii to the Marshall Islands | Oceania, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean 717 nm (1328 km) southwest of Honolulu, Hawaii, about one-third of the way from Hawaii to the Marshall Islands |
Map references | Oceania | Oceania |
Maritime claims | territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm |
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm |
Military - note | defense is the responsibility of the US | defense is the responsibility of the US |
Natural hazards | NA | NA |
Natural resources | guano deposits worked until depletion about 1890, terrestrial and aquatic wildlife | guano deposits worked until depletion about 1890, terrestrial and aquatic wildlife |
Population | uninhabited
note: in previous years, there was an average of 1,100 US military and civilian contractor personnel present; as of September 2001, population had decreased significantly when US Army Chemical Activity Pacific (USACAP) departed; as of May 2005 all US government personnel had left the island |
uninhabited
note: in previous years, there was an average of 1,100 US military and civilian contractor personnel present; as of September 2001, population had decreased significantly when US Army Chemical Activity Pacific (USACAP) departed; as of May 2005 all US government personnel had left the island (July 2006 est.) |
Terrain | mostly flat | mostly flat |