Short facts about the geography of Howland Island

Location:

Oceania, island in the North Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to Australia

Geographic coordinates:

0 48 N, 176 38 W

Map references:

Oceania

Area:

total:  1.6 sq km land:  1.6 sq km water:  0 sq km

Area - comparative:

about three times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC

Land boundaries:

0 km

Coastline:

6.4 km

Maritime claims:

exclusive economic zone:  200 NM territorial sea:  12 NM

Climate:

equatorial; scant rainfall, constant wind, burning sun

Terrain:

low-lying, nearly level, sandy, coral island surrounded by a narrow fringing reef; depressed central area

Elevation extremes:

lowest point:  Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point:  unnamed location 3 m

Natural resources:

guano (deposits worked until late 1800s), terrestrial and aquatic wildlife

Land use:

arable land:  0% permanent crops:  0% permanent pastures:  0% forests and woodland:  5% other:  95%

Irrigated land:

0 sq km (1998)

Natural hazards:

the narrow fringing reef surrounding the island can be a maritime hazard

Environment - current issues:

no natural fresh water resources

Geography - note:

almost totally covered with grasses, prostrate vines, and low-growing shrubs; small area of trees in the center; primarily a nesting, roosting, and foraging habitat for seabirds, shorebirds, and marine wildlife

Source: World Factbook