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(opens in new window) 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 refuelling site for military and commercial aircraft transiting the
Pacific. Since 1974, the island's airstrip has been used by the US military
and some commercial cargo planes, as well as for emergency landings. There
are over 700 landings a year on the island. Oceania, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean,
about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to the Northern Mariana Islands
19 17 N, 166 36 E total: 6.5 sq
km territorial sea:
12 nm tropical atoll of three coral islands built up on
an underwater volcano; central lagoon is former crater, islands are part of
the rim lowest point:
Pacific Ocean 0 m occasional typhoons strategic location in the North Pacific
Ocean; emergency landing location for transpacific flights no indigenous inhabitants unincorporated territory of the US;
administered from Washington, DC, by the Department of the Interior;
activities on the island are managed by the US Air Force the laws of the US, where applicable,
apply Economic activity is limited to providing
services to contractors located on the island. All food and manufactured
goods must be imported. general assessment:
satellite communications; 1 DSN circuit off the Overseas Telephone System (OTS)
none; two offshore anchorages for large
ships 1 (2003 est.) total: 1 formerly an important commercial aviation
base, now used by US military, some commercial cargo planes, and for
emergency landings |
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