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 is no accommodation on Baker Island.
Stay healthy
There are no natural sources of fresh water on Baker Island.