Midway Atoll MQ
A remote North Pacific atoll forever linked to one of World War II's most decisive naval battles, now home to the world's largest Laysan albatross colony and a thriving National Wildlife Refuge.
About Midway Atoll
Midway Atoll sits at the northwestern end of the Hawaiian archipelago, roughly 1,300 miles from Honolulu, in the heart of the North Pacific. It consists of two main islands, Sand Island and Eastern Island, enclosed within a coral reef lagoon. Together they cover about 2.4 square miles — the largest land area of any U.S. minor outlying island with actual terrain.
Midway carries more history than almost any place its size on Earth. It was the site of the Battle of Midway in June 1942, widely considered the turning point of the Pacific War, where American forces — tipped off by codebreakers — sank four Japanese aircraft carriers and reversed the momentum of the war. Before that, it was a glamorous Pan American Airways Clipper stopover. After the war, it hosted a major naval air station through the Cold War until 1993.
Today Midway is at peace, and its greatest distinction is ecological. It hosts the world's largest Laysan albatross colony, over a million seabirds nesting annually, and is a critical refuge for the endangered Hawaiian monk seal. Its surrounding waters form part of the vast Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument.
Aerial view of Midway Atoll
Laysan albatross colony — the world's largest
Midway Atoll vs. a U.S. State
| Feature | Midway Atoll | U.S. State |
|---|---|---|
| Permanent Population | None (civilian) | 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 | Limited (refuge permit) | Generally open |