Location:
Oceania, island in the North Pacific Ocean, about half way between
Hawaii and Australia
Geographic coordinates:
0 48 N, 176 38 W
Map references:
Oceania
Area:
total: 1.6 sq km
water: 0 sq km
land: 1.6 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%
other: 100% (1998 est.)
Irrigated land:
0 sq km (1998 est.)
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