Wake Island
Department of the Air Force, The Pentagon, Washington, DC 20330, USA
Tel: (703) 545 6700.
Website: www.defenselink.mil
Pacific Ocean. Area: 8 sq km (3 sq miles). Population: 124 (2002). Geography: Wake Island lies in the Pacific Ocean and consists of three islets, Wake, Wilkes and Peale, approximately 2060km (1280 miles) east of Guam and 500km (310 miles) north of the Marshall Islands. The location (not the size) of this island makes it of major importance to the US government. Time: GMT + 12. History: A protectorate island of the USA, the US flag having been formally raised over the island in 1898, its strategic location has led in the past to its use as a trans-Pacific telegraph relay station and a stopover for flights in the days before jet flight became universal. From 1941-44, it was occupied by the Japanese. In 1990, Congress proposed that the islands should be included within the boundaries of Guam. This sparked off a reaction from the Republic of the Marshall Islands, which also claimed rights to the island. The island has been a military air force base since 1972 and is administered by the US Department of Defense (for address, see above).
The following countries all have their own sections in the World Travel Guide:
AMERICAN SAMOA, GUAM, US VIRGIN ISLANDS. For PALAU and the NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS, see the PACIFIC ISLANDS OF MICRONESIA section.
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