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| Get A Large Static Flag | Navassa Island |
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| Introduction | Navassa Island |
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Background:
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This uninhabited island previously claimed by US in 1857 for its guano, and mining took place between 1865 and 1898. lighthouse, built in 1917, previously shut down in 1996 and administration of Navassa Island transferred from Coast Guard to Department of Interior. A 1998 scientific expedition to island described it as a unique preserve of Caribbean biodiversity; following year it became a National Wildlife Refuge. |
| Geography | Navassa Island |
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Location:
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Caribbean, island in Caribbean Sea, about one-fourth of way from Haiti to Jamaica |
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Geographic coordinates:
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18 25 N, 75 02 W |
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Map references:
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Central America and Caribbean |
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Area:
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total: 5.2 sq km
water: 0 sq km land: 5.2 sq km |
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Area - comparative:
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about nine times size of Mall in Washington, DC |
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Land boundaries:
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0 km |
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Coastline:
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8 km |
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Maritime claims:
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exclusive economic zone: 200 NM
territorial sea: 12 NM |
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Climate:
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marine, tropical |
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Terrain:
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raised coral and limestone plateau, flat to undulating; ringed by vertical white cliffs (9 to 15 m high) |
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Elevation extremes:
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lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point: unnamed location on southwest side 77 m |
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Natural resources:
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guano |
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Land use:
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arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (1998 est.) |
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Irrigated land:
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0 sq km (1998 est.) |
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Natural hazards:
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NA |
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Environment - current issues:
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NA |
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Geography - note:
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strategic location 160 km south of US Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; mostly exposed rock, but enough grassland to support goat herds; dense stands of fig-like trees, scattered cactus |
| People | Navassa Island |
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Total Population:
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uninhabited
note: transient Haitian fishermen and others camp on island (July 2003 est.) |
| Government | Navassa Island |
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Country name:
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conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Navassa Island |
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Dependency status:
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unincorporated territory of US; administered from Washington, DC, by Fish and Wildlife Service, US Department of Interior; in September 1996, Coast Guard ceased operations and maintenance of Navassa Island Light, a 46-meter-tall lighthouse on southern side of island; there has also been a private claim advanced against island |
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Legal system:
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laws of US, where applicable, apply |
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Flag description:
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flag of US is used |
| Economy | Navassa Island |
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Economy - overview:
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no economic activity |
| Transportation | Navassa Island |
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Waterways:
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none |
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Ports and harbors:
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none; offshore anchorage only |
| Military | Navassa Island |
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Military - note:
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defense is responsibility of US |
| Transnational Issues | Navassa Island |
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Disputes - international:
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claimed by Haiti |