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.
Geography
Wake Island
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
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
strategic location in the North
Pacific Ocean; emergency landing location for transpacific flights
People
Wake Island
Population:
no indigenous inhabitants
note: since super typhoon IOKE, a small military contingent
along with 75 contractor personnel have returned to the island to conduct
clean-up and restore basic operations on the island (July 2008 est.)
Government
Wake Island
Country name:
conventional long form:
none conventional short form: Wake Island
Dependency status:
unorganized, unincorporated
territory of the US; administered from Washington, DC, by the Department
of the Interior; activities in the atoll are currently conducted by the US
Air Force
Legal system:
the laws of the US, where
applicable, apply
Flag description:
the flag of the US is used
Economy
Wake Island
Economy - overview:
Economic activity is limited to
providing services to military personnel and contractors located on the
island. All food and manufactured goods must be imported.
Electricity - production:
NA kWh
Communications
Wake Island
Telephone system:
general assessment:
satellite communications; 2 DSN circuits off the Overseas Telephone System
(OTS) domestic: NA international: NA
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 0, FM 0, shortwave 0 (Armed
Forces Radio/Television Service (AFRTS) radio service provided by
satellite (2005)
Television broadcast stations:
0 (2005)
Transportation
Wake Island
Airports:
1 (2007)
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 1 2,438 to
3,047 m: 1 (2007)
Ports and terminals:
none; two offshore anchorages
for large ships
Transportation - note:
there are no commercial or
civilian flights to and from Wake Island, except in direct support of
island missions; emergency landing is available
Military
Wake Island
Military - note:
defense is the responsibility
of the US; the US Air Force is responsible for overall administration and
operation of the island; the launch support facility is administered by
the US Missile Defense Agency (MDA)
