Country Profile: Navassa Island

Navassa Island is an uninhabited territory in the Caribbean Sea, located approximately 30 nautical miles west of Haiti's Tiburon Peninsula. It spans an area of 5.4 square kilometers and is characterized by its tropical climate, raised coral terrain, and strategic location near Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Administered as a National Wildlife Refuge by the United States, the island's governance falls under U.S. laws, while it has remained devoid of a permanent population since the ceasing of guano mining in the late 19th century.

Geography

Navassa Island is a small, uninhabited island located in the Caribbean Sea. The island features a diverse landscape, including raised coral and limestone plateaus, which are surrounded by steep cliffs. Its highest point reaches 85 meters, while its coastline measures 8 kilometers. The island is strategically located 160 kilometers south of the U.S. Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

5.4 sq km: Total land area
8 km: Coastline length
0 km: Land boundaries
200 nm: Exclusive economic zone claim
1857: Year claimed by the U.S. for guano mining
1917: Year lighthouse was built
1998: Became a National Wildlife Refuge

People and Society

Navassa Island is currently uninhabited, with no permanent population residing on the island.

0: Total population

Environment

The island's environment is described as unique, with some issues related to coral bleaching. It maintains a fully utilized land cover of 100% for its natural habitat. The tropical climate supports diverse flora, including fig trees and cacti, although some areas are primarily rocky.

100%: Land use estimate (2018)
0: Major water bodies (entire area is land)
Hurricanes: Notable natural hazards

Government

Navassa Island is an unorganized, unincorporated territory of the United States, administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The island has been claimed by Haiti since the 19th century but remains under U.S. governance. The jurisdiction of the U.S. legal system applies here, and the flag of the U.S. is used in representation.

1857: Year U.S. claimed the island
Laws: Governed by U.S. legal system
No embassy: Representation from U.S. is absent

Military and Security

The defense of Navassa Island is the responsibility of the United States, which ensures its security.

0: Military presence on island; defense managed by the U.S.

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Area	5.4 sq km	Total land area
Population	0	Uninhabited
Coastline	8 km	Length of the coastline
Highest Point	85 m	Elevation above sea level
Exclusive Economic Zone	200 nm	Maritime claims
Year claimed	1857	U.S. claim for guano mining
Year of National Wildlife Refuge	1998	Established for biodiversity