{"name": "Wake Island", "code": "WQ", "publish_date": "December 31, 2018", "html": "<div class='wfb-text-box'><div class=\"region1 geos_title aus_dark\"><strong>Australia - Oceania ::Wake Island</strong></div><ul class='expandcollapse'><li id='introduction-category-section-anchor'><div class='question aus_med' sectiontitle='Introduction'ccode='wq'>Introduction ::<span class='region'>Wake Island</span></div></li><li id='introduction-category-section'><div class=\"category aus_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-introduction-background\">Background:</div><div id=\"field-background\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>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 became a stopover and refueling site for military and commercial aircraft transiting the Pacific. Since 1974, the island's airstrip has been used by the US military, as well as for emergency landings. Operations on the island were temporarily suspended and all personnel evacuated in 2006 with the approach of super typhoon IOKE (category 5), but resultant damage was comparatively minor. A US Air Force repair team restored full capability to the airfield and facilities, and the island remains a vital strategic link in the Pacific region.</div></div></li><li id='geography-category-section-anchor'><div class='question aus_med' sectiontitle='Geography'ccode='wq'>Geography ::<span class='region'>Wake Island</span></div></li><li id='geography-category-section'><div class=\"category aus_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-geography-location\">Location:</div><div id=\"field-location\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>Oceania, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to the Northern Mariana Islands</div></div><div class=\"category aus_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-geography-geographic-coordinates\">Geographic coordinates:</div><div id=\"field-geographic-coordinates\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>19 17 N, 166 39 E</div></div><div class=\"category aus_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-geography-map-references\">Map references:</div><div id=\"field-map-references\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>Oceania</div></div><div class=\"category aus_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-geography-area\">Area:</div><div id=\"field-area\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">total:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">6.5 sq km</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">land:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">6.5 sq km</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">water:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">0 sq km</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>246</span></div></div><div class=\"category aus_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-geography-area-comparative\">Area - comparative:</div><div id=\"field-area-comparative\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>about 11 times the size of the National Mall in Washington, DC</div></div><div class=\"category aus_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-geography-land-boundaries\">Land boundaries:</div><div id=\"field-land-boundaries\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">0 km</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span></div></div><div class=\"category aus_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-geography-coastline\">Coastline:</div><div id=\"field-coastline\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">19.3 km</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span></div></div><div class=\"category aus_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-geography-maritime-claims\">Maritime claims:</div><div id=\"field-maritime-claims\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">territorial sea:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">12</span><span class=\"subfield-note\">nm</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">exclusive economic zone:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">200</span><span class=\"subfield-note\">nm</span></div></div><div class=\"category aus_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-geography-climate\">Climate:</div><div id=\"field-climate\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>tropical</div></div><div class=\"category aus_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-geography-terrain\">Terrain:</div><div id=\"field-terrain\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>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</div></div><div class=\"category aus_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-geography-elevation\">Elevation:</div><div id=\"field-elevation\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">0 m</span><span class=\"subfield-note\">lowest point: Pacific Ocean</span></div><div class=\"category_data note\">8 highest point: unnamed location</div></div><div class=\"category aus_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-geography-natural-resources\">Natural resources:</div><div id=\"field-natural-resources\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>none</div></div><div class=\"category aus_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-geography-land-use\">Land use:</div><div id=\"field-land-use\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">agricultural land:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">0%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2011\">(2011 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield grouped_subfield'><span class=\"subfield-name\">arable land:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">0%</span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2011\">(2011 est.)</span>/<span class=\"subfield-name\">permanent crops:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">0%</span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2011\">(2011 est.)</span>/<span class=\"subfield-name\">permanent pasture:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">0%</span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2011\">(2011 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">forest:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">0%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2011\">(2011 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">other:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">100%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2011\">(2011 est.)</span></div></div><div class=\"category aus_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-geography-irrigated-land\">Irrigated land:</div><div id=\"field-irrigated-land\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">0 sq km</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2012\">(2012)</span></div></div><div class=\"category aus_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-geography-natural-hazards\">Natural hazards:</div><div id=\"field-natural-hazards\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>subject to occasional typhoons</div></div><div class=\"category aus_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-geography-environment-current-issues\">Environment - current issues:</div><div id=\"field-environment-current-issues\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>potable water obtained through a catchment rainwater system and a desalinization plant for brackish ground water; hazardous wastes moved to an accumulation site for storage and eventual transport off site via barge</div></div><div class=\"category aus_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-geography-geography-note\">Geography - note:</div><div id=\"field-geography-note\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>strategic location in the North Pacific Ocean; emergency landing location for transpacific flights</div></div></li><li id='people-and-society-category-section-anchor'><div class='question aus_med' sectiontitle='People and Society'ccode='wq'>People and Society ::<span class='region'>Wake Island</span></div></li><li id='people-and-society-category-section'><div class=\"category aus_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-population\">Population:</div><div id=\"field-population\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-note\">no indigenous inhabitants</span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2018\">(2018 est.)</span></div><div class=\"category_data note\"><p><strong>note:</strong> approximately 100 military personnel and civilian contractors maintain and operate the airfield and communications facilities</p></div></div></li><li id='government-category-section-anchor'><div class='question aus_med' sectiontitle='Government'ccode='wq'>Government ::<span class='region'>Wake Island</span></div></li><li id='government-category-section'><div class=\"category aus_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-government-country-name\">Country name:</div><div id=\"field-country-name\"><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">conventional long form:</span>none</div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">conventional short form:</span>Wake Island</div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">etymology:</span>although first discovered by British Captain William WAKE in 1792, the island is named after British Captain Samuel WAKE who rediscovered the island in 1796</div></div><div class=\"category aus_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-government-dependency-status\">Dependency status:</div><div id=\"field-dependency-status\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>unincorporated unorganized territory of the US; administered from Washington, DC, by the Department of the Interior; activities in the atoll are currently conducted by the 11th US Air Force and managed from Pacific Air Force Support Center</div></div><div class=\"category aus_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-government-legal-system\">Legal system:</div><div id=\"field-legal-system\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>US common law</div></div><div class=\"category aus_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-government-citizenship\">Citizenship:</div><div id=\"field-citizenship\"><div class=\"category_data note\">see United States</div></div><div class=\"category aus_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-government-flag-description\">Flag description:</div><div id=\"field-flag-description\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>the flag of the US is used</div></div></li><li id='economy-category-section-anchor'><div class='question aus_med' sectiontitle='Economy'ccode='wq'>Economy ::<span class='region'>Wake Island</span></div></li><li id='economy-category-section'><div class=\"category aus_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-economy-overview\">Economy - overview:</div><div id=\"field-economy-overview\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>Economic activity is limited to providing services to military personnel and contractors located on the island. All food and manufactured goods must be imported.</div></div></li><li id='communications-category-section-anchor'><div class='question aus_med' sectiontitle='Communications'ccode='wq'>Communications ::<span class='region'>Wake Island</span></div></li><li id='communications-category-section'><div class=\"category aus_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-communications-telephone-system\">Telephone system:</div><div id=\"field-telephone-system\"><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">general assessment:</span>satellite communications; 2 Defense Switched Network circuits off the Overseas Telephone System (OTS); located in the Hawaii area code - 808</div></div><div class=\"category aus_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-communications-broadcast-media\">Broadcast media:</div><div id=\"field-broadcast-media\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>American Armed Forces Radio and Television Service (AFRTS) provides satellite radio/TV broadcasts<span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2018\">(2018)</span></div></div></li><li id='transportation-category-section-anchor'><div class='question aus_med' sectiontitle='Transportation'ccode='wq'>Transportation ::<span class='region'>Wake Island</span></div></li><li id='transportation-category-section'><div class=\"category aus_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-transportation-airports\">Airports:</div><div id=\"field-airports\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">1</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2018\">(2018)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>238</span></div></div><div class=\"category aus_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-transportation-airports-with-paved-runways\">Airports - with paved runways:</div><div id=\"field-airports-with-paved-runways\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">total:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">1</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2018\">(2018)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">2,438 to 3,047 m:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">1</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2018\">(2018)</span></div></div><div class=\"category aus_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-transportation-ports-and-terminals\">Ports and terminals:</div><div id=\"field-ports-and-terminals\"><div class=\"category_data note\">none; two offshore anchorages for large ships</div></div><div class=\"category aus_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-transportation-transportation-note\">Transportation - note:</div><div id=\"field-transportation-note\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>there are no commercial or civilian flights to and from Wake Island, except in direct support of island missions; emergency landing is available</div></div></li><li id='military-and-security-category-section-anchor'><div class='question aus_med' sectiontitle='Military and Security'ccode='wq'>Military and Security ::<span class='region'>Wake Island</span></div></li><li id='military-and-security-category-section'><div class=\"category aus_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-military-and-security-military-note\">Military - note:</div><div id=\"field-military-note\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>defense is the responsibility of the US; the US Air Force is responsible for overall administration and operation of the island facilities; the launch support facility is administered by the US Missile Defense Agency (MDA)</div></div></li><li id='transnational-issues-category-section-anchor'><div class='question aus_med' sectiontitle='Transnational Issues'ccode='wq'>Transnational Issues ::<span class='region'>Wake Island</span></div></li><li id='transnational-issues-category-section'><div class=\"category aus_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-transnational-issues-disputes-international\">Disputes - international:</div><div id=\"field-disputes-international\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>claimed by Marshall Islands</div></div></li></ul></div>"}