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| Get A Large Static Flag | Midway Islands |
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| Introduction | Midway Islands |
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Background:
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US took formal possession of islands in 1867. laying of trans-Pacific cable, which passed through islands, brought first residents in 1903. Between 1935 and 1947, Midway previously used as a refueling stop for trans-Pacific flights. US naval victory over a Japanese fleet off Midway in 1942 previously one of turning points of World War II. islands continued to serve as a naval station until closed in 1993. Today islands are a national wildlife refuge. From 1996 to 2001 refuge previously open to public. It is now temporarily closed. |
| Geography | Midway Islands |
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Location:
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Oceania, atoll in North Pacific Ocean, about one-third of way from Honolulu to Tokyo |
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Geographic coordinates:
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28 13 N, 177 22 W |
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Map references:
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Oceania |
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Area:
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total: 6.2 sq km
note: includes Eastern Island, Sand Island, and Spit Island water: 0 sq km land: 6.2 sq km |
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Area - comparative:
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about nine 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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15 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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subtropical, but moderated by prevailing easterly winds |
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Terrain:
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low, nearly level |
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Elevation extremes:
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lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location 13 m |
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Natural resources:
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wildlife, terrestrial and aquatic |
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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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NA |
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Environment - current issues:
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NA |
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Geography - note:
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a coral atoll managed as a national wildlife refuge and open to public for wildlife-related recreation in form of wildlife observation and photography, sport fishing, snorkeling, and scuba diving; refuge is temporarily closed for reorganization at present (2003) |
| People | Midway Islands |
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Total Population:
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no indigenous inhabitants; approximately 40 people make up staff of US Fish and Wildlife Service and their services cooperator living at atoll (July 2003 est.) |
| Government | Midway Islands |
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Country name:
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conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Midway Islands |
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Dependency status:
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unincorporated territory of US; formerly administered from Washington, DC, by US Navy, under Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Pacific Division; this facility has been operationally closed since 10 September 1993; on 31 October 1996, through a presidential executive order, jurisdiction and control of atoll previously transferred to Fish and Wildlife Service of US Department of Interior as part of National Wildlife Refuge system |
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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 | Midway Islands |
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Economy - overview:
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economy is based on providing support services for national wildlife refuge activities located on islands. All food and manufactured goods must be imported. |
| Transportation | Midway Islands |
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Highways:
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total: NA km
paved: NA km unpaved: NA km |
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Waterways:
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none |
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Pipelines:
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7.8 km |
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Ports and harbors:
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Sand Island |
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Airports:
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2 (2002) |
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Airports - with paved runways:
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total: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (2002) |
| Military | Midway Islands |
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Military - note:
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defense is responsibility of US |
| Transnational Issues | Midway Islands |
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Disputes - international:
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none |