Baker Island
A remote, uninhabited coral atoll in the central Pacific Ocean, managed as a National Wildlife Refuge and part of the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument.
About Baker Island
Baker Island is a small, flat coral atoll located in the central Pacific Ocean, just north of the equator. Roughly 1.6 square miles in size, the island is covered in sparse grasses, low shrubs, and the ruins of a long-abandoned settlement. No humans have lived here permanently since 1942.
Despite its remoteness, Baker Island has a surprisingly eventful history. It was mined for guano throughout the 19th century, briefly colonized by the U.S. government in the 1930s, and bombed by Japanese aircraft early in World War II. Today it exists in peaceful isolation as a federally protected wildlife refuge.
The island sits at the edge of the world's time zones at UTC−12, meaning it is among the very last places on Earth to begin each new calendar day. Its surrounding waters are part of the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument, one of the largest marine protected areas on the planet.
Aerial view of Baker Island
Nesting seabirds — the island's primary residents
Baker Island vs. a U.S. State
| Feature | Baker Island | U.S. State |
|---|---|---|
| Permanent Population | None | Yes |
| Local Government | None | State government |
| Congressional Representation | None | Senators + Representatives |
| Voting in Federal Elections | No residents | Yes |
| U.S. Constitution Applies | Partially (by statute) | Fully |
| Administered By | Fish & Wildlife Service | Elected officials |
| Incorporated Territory | No | Yes (as a state) |
| Public Access | Restricted permit only | Generally open |