Jarvis Island

Jarvis Island is an uninhabited coral island located in the South Pacific Ocean, about halfway between Hawaii and the Cook Islands. The island is part of the United States Minor Outlying Islands and is under the jurisdiction of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.

Jarvis Island is a narrow, roughly triangular island with a total area of only 4.5 square kilometers (1.7 square miles). The island is dominated by a large lagoon, which is almost entirely enclosed by a barrier reef. The island has no permanent sources of fresh water, no vegetation, and no natural resources.

The island was first discovered by the British in 1821, but it was not until 1856 that it was formally claimed by the United States. In 1935, the island was annexed by the United States and placed under the control of the United States Department of the Interior.

Today, Jarvis Island is used primarily as a wildlife sanctuary and research station. The island is home to a variety of sea birds, including the brown booby, the red-footed booby, and the sooty tern. The island also supports a small population of hermit crabs, lizards, and other small animals.

Due to its remote location and lack of natural resources, there is no permanent human population on Jarvis Island. However, the island is occasionally visited by researchers and government officials. Access to the island is strictly controlled by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, and visitors are required to obtain special permits before they are allowed to land on the island.

Jarvis Island is a remote, uninhabited coral atoll in the central Pacific Ocean, an unincorporated territory of the United States. Situated just south of the equator, it is primarily known as a U.S. National Wildlife Refuge. Access is strictly limited, making it a vital sanctuary for vast seabird colonies and marine life rather than a tourist destination. Its extreme isolation defines this pristine, protected environment.