Jarvis Island Geography:
Location:
Oceania, island in the South Pacific Ocean, about half way between Hawaii and the Cook Islands
Geographic coordinates:
0 22 S, 160 03 W
Map references:
Area:
total:
4.5 sq km
land:
4.5 sq km
water:
0 sq km
Area - comparative:
About eight times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
total: 0 km
border countries: NA
Coastline:
8 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 NM
exclusive economic zone: 200 NM
Climate:
Tropical; scant rainfall, constant wind, burning sun
Terrain:
Sandy, coral island surrounded by a narrow fringing reef
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location 7 m
Natural resources:
Guano (deposits worked until late 1800s), terrestrial and aquatic wildlife
Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 100%
(2001)
Irrigated land:
0 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards:
The narrow fringing reef surrounding the island poses a maritime hazard
Environment - current issues:
No natural fresh water resources
Environment - international agreements:
party to: NA
signed, but not ratified: NA
Geography - Note:
Sparse bunch grass, prostrate vines, and low-growing shrubs; primarily a nesting, roosting, and foraging habitat for seabirds, shorebirds, and marine wildlife |
