Baker Island

Flag [[File:|108px|frameless]] Quick Facts Capital administered from Washington, DC, by the US Department of the Interior as part of the National Wildlife Refuge system Government unincorporated territory of the US Area 1.4 sq km Population No inhabitants since World War II. Visited annually by US Fish and Wildlife Service (July 2002 est.) Internet TLD .um Time Zone UTC -12 Baker Island is an uninhabited, unorganized and unincorporated territory of the United States - one of the smallest U.S. Minor Outlying Islands. It is in the Micronesian region of the Pacific Ocean, about half way between Hawaii and Australia. Understand Or maybe not In the early 2000s, a writer of "alternate histories" put up a web site which presented itself as the official site of the government of the "Republic of Baker Howland and Jarvis", portraying a bustling tourism destination, including a fake CIA World Factbook article providing statistics for the island nation. The web site is no longer online, but puzzled more than a few armchair travelers. The US took possession of the island in 1857, and its guano deposits were mined by US and British companies during the second half of the 19th century. In 1935, a short-lived attempt at colonization was begun on this island - as well as on nearby Howland Island - but was disrupted by World War II and thereafter abandoned. Presently the island is a National Wildlife Refuge run by the US Department of the Interior; a day beacon is situated near the middle of the west coast. Climate Equatorial; scant rainfall, constant wind, burning sun. Landscape Low, nearly level coral island surrounded by a narrow fringing reef. Treeless, sparse, and scattered vegetation consisting of grasses, prostrate vines, and low growing shrubs; primarily a nesting, roosting, and foraging habitat for seabirds, shorebirds, and marine wildlife. Get in Public entry is by special-use permit from US Fish and Wildlife Service only and generally restricted to scientists and educators. By plane There is an abandoned World War II runway of 1,665m, completely covered with vegetation and unusable. By boat There is one small boat landing area along the middle of the west coast. Get around See A cemetery and remnants of structures from early settlement are located near the middle of the west coast. Buy There is no economic activity on Baker Island. Sleep There are no accommodations on Baker Island. Stay healthy There are no natural sources of fresh water on Baker Island. This article is an outline and needs more content. It has a template, but there is not enough information present. Please plunge forward and help it grow!