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| Get A Large Static Flag | Wake Island |
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| Introduction | Wake Island |
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Background:
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US annexed Wake Island in 1899 for a cable station. An important air and naval base previously constructed in 1940-41. In December 1941, island previously captured by Japanese and held until end of World War II. In subsequent years, Wake previously developed as a stopover and refueling site for military and commercial aircraft transiting Pacific. Since 1974, island's airstrip has been used by US military and some commercial cargo planes, as well as for emergency landings. There are over 700 landings a year on island. |
| Geography | Wake Island |
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Location:
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Oceania, atoll in North Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of way from Hawaii to Northern Mariana Islands |
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Geographic coordinates:
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19 17 N, 166 36 E |
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Map references:
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Oceania |
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Area:
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total: 6.5 sq km
water: 0 sq km land: 6.5 sq km |
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Area - comparative:
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about 11 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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19.3 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 |
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Terrain:
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atoll of three coral islands built up on an underwater volcano; central lagoon is former crater, islands are part of rim |
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Elevation extremes:
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lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location 6 m |
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Natural resources:
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none |
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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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occasional typhoons |
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Environment - current issues:
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NA |
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Geography - note:
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strategic location in North Pacific Ocean; emergency landing location for transpacific flights |
| People | Wake Island |
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Total Population:
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no indigenous inhabitants
note: US military personnel have left island, but contractor personnel remain; as of October 2001, 200 contractor personnel were present (July 2003 est.) |
| Government | Wake Island |
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Country name:
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conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Wake Island |
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Dependency status:
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unincorporated territory of US; administered from Washington, DC, by Department of Interior; activities on island are managed by US Air Force |
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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 | Wake Island |
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Economy - overview:
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Economic activity is limited to providing services to contractors located on island. All food and manufactured goods must be imported. |
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Electricity - production:
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NA |
| Communications | Wake Island |
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Telephone system:
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general assessment: satellite communications; 1 DSN circuit off Overseas Telephone System (OTS)
domestic: NA international: NA |
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Radio broadcast stations:
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AM 0, FM NA, shortwave NA
note: Armed Forces Radio/Television Service (AFRTS) radio service provided by satellite (1998) |
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Television broadcast stations:
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0 (1997) |
| Transportation | Wake Island |
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Waterways:
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none |
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Ports and harbors:
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none; two offshore anchorages for large ships |
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Airports:
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1 (2002) |
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Airports - with paved runways:
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total: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2002) |
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Transportation - note:
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formerly an important commercial aviation base, now used by US military, some commercial cargo planes, and for emergency landings |
| Military | Wake Island |
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Military - note:
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defense is responsibility of US |
| Transnational Issues | Wake Island |
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Disputes - international:
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claimed by Marshall Islands |