Wake Island (2008) | Wake Island (2005) | |
Airports | 1 (2007) | 1 (2004 est.) |
Airports - with paved runways | total: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2007) |
total: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2004 est.) |
Area | total: 6.5 sq km
land: 6.5 sq km water: 0 sq km |
total: 6.5 sq km
land: 6.5 sq km water: 0 sq km |
Area - comparative | about 11 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC | about 11 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC |
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 was developed as 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. All operations on the island were suspended and all personnel evacuated in August 2006 with the approach of super typhoon IOKE (category 5), which struck the island with sustained winds of 250 kph and a 6 m storm surge inflicting major damage. A US Air Force assessment and repair team returned to the island in September and restored limited function to the airfield and facilities. The future status of activities on the island will be determined upon completion of the survey and assessment. | 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 was developed as 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 and some commercial cargo planes, as well as for emergency landings. There are over 700 landings a year on the island. |
Climate | tropical | tropical |
Coastline | 19.3 km | 19.3 km |
Country name | conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Wake Island |
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Wake Island |
Dependency status | unorganized, unincorporated territory of the US; administered from Washington, DC, by the Department of the Interior; activities in the atoll are currently conducted by the US Air Force | unincorporated territory of the US; administered from Washington, DC, by the Department of the Interior; activities on the island are conducted by the US Air Force |
Disputes - international | claimed by Marshall Islands | claimed by Marshall Islands |
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. | Economic activity is limited to providing services to contractors located on the island. All food and manufactured goods must be imported. |
Electricity - production | NA kWh | NA |
Elevation extremes | lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location 6 m |
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location 6 m |
Environment - current issues | NA | NA |
Flag description | the flag of the US is used | the flag of the US is used |
Geographic coordinates | 19 17 N, 166 39 E | 19 17 N, 166 36 E |
Geography - note | strategic location in the North Pacific Ocean; emergency landing location for transpacific flights | strategic location in the North Pacific Ocean; emergency landing location for transpacific flights |
Irrigated land | 0 sq km | 0 sq km (1998 est.) |
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% (2001) |
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, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to the Northern Mariana Islands | Oceania, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to the Northern Mariana 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; the US Air Force is responsible for overall administration and operation of the island; the launch support facility is administered by the US Missile Defense Agency (MDA) | defense is the responsibility of the US; launch support facility is part of the Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defense Test Site (RTS) administered by US Army Space and Missile Defense Command (SMDC) |
Natural hazards | occasional typhoons | occasional typhoons |
Natural resources | none | none |
Population | no indigenous inhabitants
note: since super typhoon IOKE, a small military contingent along with 75 contractor personnel have returned to the island to conduct clean-up and restore basic operations on the island (July 2007 est.) |
no indigenous inhabitants
note: US military personnel have left the island, but contractor personnel remain; as of October 2001, 200 contractor personnel were present (July 2005 est.) |
Ports and harbors | - | none; two offshore anchorages for large ships |
Radio broadcast stations | AM 0, FM 0, shortwave 0 (Armed Forces Radio/Television Service (AFRTS) radio service provided by satellite (2005) | AM 0, FM NA, shortwave NA
note: Armed Forces Radio/Television Service (AFRTS) radio service provided by satellite (1998) |
Telephone system | general assessment: satellite communications; 2 DSN circuits off the Overseas Telephone System (OTS)
domestic: NA international: NA |
general assessment: satellite communications; 1 DSN circuit off the Overseas Telephone System (OTS)
domestic: NA international: NA |
Television broadcast stations | 0 (2005) | 0 (1997) |
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 | atoll of three coral islands built up on an underwater volcano; central lagoon is former crater, islands are part of the rim |
Transportation - note | there are no commercial or civilian flights to and from Wake Island, except in direct support of island missions; emergency landing is available | formerly an important commercial aviation base, now used by US military, some commercial cargo planes, and for emergency landings |