Howland Island

Island in the central Pacific Ocean, belonging to the USA. Covering an area of 1.9 sq km/0.7 sq mi, it is situated just north of the Equator, some 2,610 km/1,620 mi southwest of Honolulu, Hawaii, and 64 km/40 mi north-northwest of Baker Island.

Howland Island, which was then uninhabited, was discovered by US traders in 1842, and claimed by the USA in 1857. Until 1890, the island was worked for guano by both the US and Great Britain, which also claimed it as sovereign territory. In order to reinforce the US claim, Americans colonized it (as Itascatown) in 1935, and the following year it was placed under the jurisdiction of the Department of the Interior. Pioneer aviator Amelia Earhart was en route from New Guinea to Howland's newly constructed airstrip when she disappeared in 1937. The Japanese attacked the island in 1941, and it was evacuated. Today it is a wildlife refuge.