Part 382

Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 46,601 (1997 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure: $207 million (FY92/93); note - this represents 65% of the total cost of defending the colony, the remainder being paid by the UK

Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 0.2% (FY92/93)

Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the UK until 1 July 1997, when China will assume command

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international: none

Illicit drugs: a hub for Southeast Asian heroin trade; transshipment and money-laundering center; increasing indigenous amphetamine abuse ______________________________________________________________________

HOWLAND ISLAND

(territory of the US)

@Howland Island:Geography

Location: Oceania, island in the North Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to Australia

Geographic coordinates: 0 48 N, 176 38 W

Map references: Oceania

Area: total: 1.6 sq km land : 1.6 sq km water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative: about three times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC

Land boundaries: 0 km

Coastline: 6.4 km

Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea : 12 nm

Climate: equatorial; scant rainfall, constant wind, burning sun

Terrain: low-lying, nearly level, sandy, coral island surrounded by a narrow fringing reef; depressed central area

Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point : unnamed location 3 m

Natural resources: guano (deposits worked until late 1800s)

Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops : 0% permanent pastures: 0% forests and woodland: 5% other: 95%

Irrigated land: 0 sq km (1993)

Natural hazards: the narrow fringing reef surrounding the island can be a maritime hazard

Environment - current issues: no natural fresh water resources

Environment - international agreements: party to : NA signed, but not ratified: NA

Geography - note: almost totally covered with grasses, prostrate vines, and low-growing shrubs; small area of trees in the center; primarily a nesting, roosting, and foraging habitat for seabirds, shorebirds, and marine wildlife; feral cats