Baker Island facts for kids
Baker Island
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Map of the central Pacific Ocean showing Baker Island and nearby Howland Island just north of the equator and east of Tarawa.
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| Geography | |
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| Coordinates | 0°11′41″N 176°28′46″W / 0.19472°N 176.47944°W |
| Area | 1.64 km2 (0.63 sq mi) |
| Highest elevation | 8 m (26 ft) |
| Administration | |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 0 |
Baker Island is a tiny coral island in the North Pacific Ocean. It's also known as an atoll, which is a ring-shaped coral reef that surrounds a lagoon. This small island is located just above the equator and belongs to the United States. The United States Department of the Interior, a government agency, manages the island. It's officially called the Baker Island National Wildlife Refuge.
Baker Island has no trees. It is surrounded by a coral reef. This makes it very difficult for boats to get close to the shore.
Contents
What is Baker Island?
Baker Island is a very small piece of land. It covers about 1.64 square kilometers (0.63 square miles). The highest point on the island is only 8 meters (26 feet) above sea level. No one lives on Baker Island permanently. It is an unincorporated territory of the United States. This means it is owned by the U.S. government but is not part of any U.S. state.
A Home for Wildlife
Baker Island is a special place for many animals. It is part of the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument. This monument protects a huge area of ocean and islands. The island is mostly known for its large groups of seabirds. Many different kinds of birds live and nest here. These include various types of boobies, frigatebirds, and terns. The island's remote location helps keep these bird populations safe.
History of the Island
People first found Baker Island in the early 1800s. American ships often visited the island for its valuable guano. Guano is bird droppings that were used as fertilizer. The United States officially claimed Baker Island in 1857. This was under the Guano Islands Act.
In the 1930s, the U.S. tried to settle the island. Young American colonists were sent there. They built a lighthouse and some small buildings. The goal was to help with air travel across the Pacific. However, these efforts stopped during World War II. The island was attacked by Japanese forces. Since then, no one has lived on Baker Island.
Visiting Baker Island
Because Baker Island is a wildlife refuge, it is not open to the public. You need a special permit to visit. These permits are usually only given to scientists and researchers. They study the island's unique plants and animals. This helps protect the island's natural environment.
Gallery
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Baker Island coastline with red-footed booby
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Fish and wildlife sign
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Baker Island day beacon
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Settlement remains, radio tower in background
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Brown noddies with radio towers in background
Related pages
Images for kids
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Orthographic projection over Baker Island.
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Hermit crabs taking shade in day beacon
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Masked booby on gravestone
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Landing craft wreckage on Baker Island coast
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Baker Island satellite image
