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Wake Island:
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Other pages in this profile of Wake Island:
People, Government, Economy, Communications & Transportation, Military & Transnational Issues.
People, Government, Economy, Communications & Transportation, Military & Transnational Issues.
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Background |
The US annexed Wake Island in 1899 for a cable station. An important air and naval base was constructed in 1940-41. In December 1941, the island was captured by the Japanese and held until the end of World War II. In subsequent years, Wake was developed as a stopover and refueling site for military and commercial aircraft transiting the Pacific. Since 1974, the island's airstrip has been used by the US military, as well as for emergency landings. All operations on the island were suspended and all personnel evacuated in August 2006 with the approach of super typhoon IOKE (category 5), which struck the island with sustained winds of 250 kph and a 6 m storm surge inflicting major damage. A US Air Force assessment and repair team returned to the island in September and restored limited function to the airfield and facilities. The future status of activities on the island will be determined upon completion of the survey and assessment. |
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Location |
Oceania, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to the Northern Mariana Islands |
Geographic coordinates |
19 17 N, 166 39 E |
Map references |
Oceania |
Area |
total: 6.5 sq km land: 6.5 sq km water: 0 sq km |
Area - comparative |
about 11 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC |
Land boundaries |
0 km |
Coastline |
19.3 km |
Maritime claims |
territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm |
Climate |
tropical |
Terrain |
atoll of three low coral islands, Peale, Wake, and Wilkes, built up on an underwater volcano; central lagoon is former crater, islands are part of the rim |
Elevation extremes |
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 6 m |
Natural resources |
none |
Land use |
arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (2005) |
Irrigated land |
0 sq km |
Natural hazards |
occasional typhoons |
Environment - current issues |
NA |
Geography - note |
strategic location in the North Pacific Ocean; emergency landing location for transpacific flights |
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Copyright 2008 World Sites Atlas (sitesatlas.com) |