The Geography of Wake Island
The Geography of Wake Island
Geography
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
Environment - international agreements:
Geography - note: strategic location in the North Pacific Ocean; emergency landing location for transpacific flights