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Location:
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Oceania, island in the South Pacific Ocean, about half way between Hawaii and the Cook Islands
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Geographic coordinates:
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0 22 S, 160 03 W
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Map references:
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oceania
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Area:
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total: 4.5 sq km
water: 0 sq km
land: 4.5 sq km
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Area - comparative:
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about eight times the size of The 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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territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
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Climate:
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tropical; scant rainfall, constant wind, burning sun
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Terrain:
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sandy, coral island surrounded by a narrow fringing reef
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Elevation extremes:
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lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location 7 m
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Natural resources:
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guano (deposits worked until late 1800s), terrestrial and aquatic wildlife
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Land use:
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arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 100% (2001)
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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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the narrow fringing reef surrounding the island poses a maritime hazard
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Environment - current issues:
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no natural fresh water resources
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Geography - note:
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sparse bunch grass, prostrate vines, and low-growing shrubs; primarily a nesting, roosting, and foraging habitat for seabirds, shorebirds, and marine wildlife
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