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 WMap references: Oceania
Area:
total:
1.6 kmē
land:
1.6 kmē
water:
0 kmē
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)
Land use:
arable land:
0%
permanent crops:
0%
permanent pastures:
0%
forests and woodland:
5%
other:
95%
Irrigated land: 0 kmē (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
- See also : Howland Island
