Country Profile: Wake Island

Wake Island is a remote atoll located in the North Pacific Ocean, approximately two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to the Northern Mariana Islands. It has no permanent inhabitants, with personnel only present to operate military and weather facilities. The island is primarily administered by the United States as an unincorporated territory, significant for both military and strategic purposes. Economically, Wake Island does not engage in traditional economic activities due to its limited population and resources, focusing instead on supporting military operations.

Geography

Wake Island is situated at geographical coordinates 19°17' N and 166°39' E, characterized by three low coral islands—Peale, Wake, and Wilkes—built on an underwater volcano. The total land area is approximately 7 square kilometers, which is about 11 times the size of the National Mall in Washington, D.C. The island's climate is tropical, and it is vulnerable to occasional typhoons, with a coastline measuring 19.3 kilometers.

7 sq km: Total area of Wake Island.
100% (2018): Land use is entirely non-agricultural.
19.3 km: Length of the coastline.

People and Society

Wake Island does not have any permanent inhabitants. Personnel stationed on the island maintain and operate critical military and weather facilities, but there is no established community or residential population.

0 permanent inhabitants: The island is uninhabited except for military and support personnel.

Economy

Wake Island's economy is not structured around traditional activities due to its status as an unincorporated US territory, focusing instead on military operations and logistics.

Government

Wake Island is administered as an unincorporated, unorganized territory of the United States, overseen by the Department of the Interior. The island's defense is the responsibility of the US military, specifically managed by the 11th US Air Force.

US Territory: Administered by the Department of the Interior.
US common law: The legal system in place on the island.

Military and Security

The defense of Wake Island is ensured by the United States, which uses the island as a trans-Pacific refueling stop for military aircraft. It also plays a role in missile defense testing activities, managed by the US Air Force.

Military responsibility: Defense is managed by the US.
Trans-Pacific refueling: Key strategic military function.

Energy

Wake Island has achieved 100% electrification for its operational personnel as of 2021. The island consumes approximately 8,000 barrels of refined petroleum per day to support its facilities.

8,000 bbl/day (2023): Refined petroleum consumption.
100% (2021): Electrification level.

Environment

Wake Island faces environmental challenges such as limited potable water supplies and hazardous waste disposal. The island has a tropical climate and is fully utilized for non-agricultural purposes.

1.214 million metric tonnes (2023): CO2 emissions, all from petroleum and other liquids.
0%: Agricultural land usage (2018 estimate).

Transportation

The island features one airport and several small ports, facilitating transportation primarily for military purposes. The port is equipped with oil terminal facilities.

1 airport (2025): The only airport present on the island.
1 port (2024): The sole port available, with oil terminal capabilities.

Communications

Wake Island's communication infrastructure is primarily managed by the US Armed Forces, which provides satellite radio and television broadcasts through the Armed Forces Radio and Television Service.

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	0 permanent inhabitants	Uninhabited except for military personnel
Area	7 sq km	Total land area
Carbon dioxide emissions	1.214 million metric tonnes	CO2 emissions from petroleum (2023)
Electrification	100% (2021)	Total population access to electricity
Refined petroleum consumption	8,000 bbl/day (2023)	Daily consumption rate
Land use	0% (2018 est.)	No agricultural land