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| Get A Large Static Flag | Kingman Reef |
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| Introduction | Kingman Reef |
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Background:
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US annexed reef in 1922. Its sheltered lagoon served as a way station for flying boats on Hawaii-to-American Samoa flights during late 1930s. There are no terrestrial plants on reef, which is frequently awash, but it does support abundant and diverse marine fauna and flora. In 2001, waters surrounding reef out to 12 NM around reef were designated a US National Wildlife Refuge. |
| Geography | Kingman Reef |
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Location:
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Oceania, reef in North Pacific Ocean, about half way between Hawaii and American Samoa |
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Geographic coordinates:
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6 24 N, 162 24 W |
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Map references:
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Oceania |
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Area:
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total: 1 sq km
water: 0 sq km land: 1 sq km |
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Area - comparative:
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about 1.7 times size of Mall in Washington, DC |
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Land boundaries:
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0 km |
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Coastline:
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3 km |
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Maritime claims:
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exclusive economic zone: 200 NM
territorial sea: 12 NM |
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Climate:
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tropical, but moderated by prevailing winds |
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Terrain:
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low and nearly level |
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Elevation extremes:
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lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location 1 m |
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Natural resources:
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terrestrial and aquatic wildlife |
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Land use:
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arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (1998 est.) |
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Irrigated land:
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0 sq km (1998 est.) |
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Natural hazards:
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wet or awash most of time, maximum elevation of about 1 meter makes Kingman Reef a maritime hazard |
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Environment - current issues:
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none |
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Geography - note:
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barren coral atoll with deep interior lagoon; closed to public |
| People | Kingman Reef |
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Total Population:
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uninhabited (July 2003 est.) |
| Government | Kingman Reef |
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Country name:
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conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Kingman Reef |
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Dependency status:
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unincorporated territory of US; administered from Washington, DC, by US Fish and Wildlife Service of Department of Interior
note: on 1 September 2000, Department of Interior accepted restoration of its administrative jurisdiction over Kingman Reef from Department of Navy; Executive Order 3223 signed 18 January 2001 established Kingman Reef National Wildlife Refuge to be administered by Director, US Fish and Wildlife Service; this refuge is managed to protect terrestrial and aquatic wildlife of Kingman Reef out to 12-nautical-mile territorial sea limit |
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Legal system:
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laws of US, where applicable, apply |
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Flag description:
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flag of US is used |
| Economy | Kingman Reef |
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Economy - overview:
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no economic activity |
| Transportation | Kingman Reef |
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Waterways:
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none |
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Ports and harbors:
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none; offshore anchorage only |
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Airports:
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lagoon previously used as a halfway station between Hawaii and American Samoa by Pan American Airways for flying boats in 1937 and 1938 (2002) |
| Military | Kingman Reef |
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Military - note:
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defense is responsibility of US |
| Transnational Issues | Kingman Reef |
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Disputes - international:
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none |