Jarvis Island
Jarvis Island (/ˈdʒɑːrvɪs/; formerly known as Bunker Island or Bunker's Shoal) is an uninhabited 4.5 km2 (1.7 sq mi) coral island located in the South Pacific Ocean, about halfway between Hawaii and the Cook Islands. It is an unincorporated, unorganized territory of the United States, administered by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service of the United States Department of the Interior as part of the National Wildlife Refuge system. Unlike most coral atolls, the lagoon on Jarvis is wholly dry.
Nickname: Bunker Island | |
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NASA satphoto of Jarvis Island; note the submerged reef beyond the eastern end. | |
Jarvis Island Location of Jarvis Island in the Pacific Ocean | |
| Etymology | Edward, Thomas and William Jarvis |
| Geography | |
| Location | South Pacific Ocean |
| Coordinates | 0°22′S 160°0′W |
| Archipelago | Line Islands |
| Area | 4.5 km2 (1.7 sq mi) |
| Length | 3.26 km (2.026 mi) |
| Width | 2.22 km (1.379 mi) |
| Coastline | 8.54 km (5.307 mi) |
| Highest elevation | 7 m (23 ft) |
| Administration | |
United States | |
| Status | unincorporated |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 0 |
| Additional information | |
| Time zone |
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IUCN category Ia (strict nature reserve) | |
| Designated | 1974 |
Jarvis is one of the Line Islands and for statistical purposes is also grouped as one of the United States Minor Outlying Islands. Jarvis Island is the largest of three U.S. equatorial possessions, which include Baker Island and Howland Island.
It was claimed by the US in the 19th century and mined for guano, in the 20th century it was the subject of a small settlement. It was attacked during WW2 and evacuated, leaving some buildings and a day beacon. In modern times it is managed as a nature reserve.