Country Profile: Navassa Island
Navassa Island is an uninhabited territory located in the Caribbean Sea, approximately 30 nautical miles west of Haiti's Tiburon Peninsula. It spans an area of 5.4 square kilometers and features a marine, tropical climate characterized by a rugged, raised coral terrain surrounded by vertical cliffs. As a U.S. unincorporated territory, it is administered by the Department of the Interior, and while it has no permanent population, it serves as a National Wildlife Refuge, highlighting its ecological significance.
Geography
Navassa Island is strategically situated about 160 kilometers south of the U.S. Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. The island boasts a total area of 5.4 square kilometers, marked by a rugged coral and limestone plateau and a coastline extending 8 kilometers. Its highest elevation reaches 85 meters near the lighthouse, constructed in 1917.
- 5.4 sq km - Total area of the island
- 30 nm - Distance to the nearest land (Haiti)
- 85 m - Highest point on the island
- 8 km - Length of coastline
- 0 km - Land boundaries (uninhabited)
People and Society
Navassa Island is currently uninhabited, with no permanent residents or communities established.
Government
Navassa Island is classified as an unorganized, unincorporated territory of the United States, administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The laws of the U.S. apply on the island, and it is represented by the flag of the United States. The island has been claimed by Haiti since the 19th century.
- 1857 - U.S. claimed the island for guano mining
- 1998 - Became a National Wildlife Refuge
- 1917 - Lighthouse built
- 1996 - Lighthouse decommissioned
Military and Security
The defense and security of Navassa Island are the responsibility of the United States, given its status as a U.S. territory.
Environment
The island faces environmental challenges, including instances of coral bleaching. It features a marine, tropical climate and is predominantly used for ecological preservation.
- 100% - Land use classified as other (2018 estimate)
- some - Reported coral bleaching
Key Metrics
| Metric | Value | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Population | Uninhabited | No permanent residents |
| Area | 5.4 sq km | Total area of the island |
| Elevation (Highest) | 85 m | Near the lighthouse |
| Coastline | 8 km | Length of the coastline |
| Climate | Marine, Tropical | Characteristic of the island |
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