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Discovered by the US early in the 19th century, the island was officially claimed by the US in 1857. Both US and British companies mined for guano until about 1890. Earhart Light, a day beacon near the middle of the west coast, was partially destroyed during World War II, but subsequently rebuilt; it is named in memory of the famed aviatrix Amelia EARHART. The island is administered by the US Department of the Interior as a National Wildlife Refuge.

Oceania, island in the North Pacific Ocean, about half way between Hawaii and Australia

0 48 N, 176 38 W

Oceania

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

equatorial; scant rainfall, constant wind, burning sun

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

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

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

no natural fresh water resources

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

conventional long form: none

conventional short form: Howland Island

etymology: named after the lookout on a whaling vessel who spotted the island in 1842

unincorporated territory of the US; administered from Washington, DC, by the Fish and Wildlife Service of the US Department of the Interior as part of the National Wildlife Refuge System

the laws of the US apply where applicable 

the flag of the US is used

Earhart Light, a day beacon near the middle of the west coast, was partially destroyed during World War II but rebuilt during the 1960s; today it is crumbling and in poor repair; named in memory of famed aviatrix Amelia EARHART

defense is the responsibility of the US; visited annually by the US Coast Guard (2019)

none