Howland Island is a small place in the Pacific Ocean. It is not big like a country or even a city. But it has a big history! Many people do not know about it. That’s why today, we will learn more about this little island and why it is so special.
Long ago, many people were curious about new lands. Some explorers found Howland Island in the 1800s. It was named after a man called Howland who helped ships in that area. This tiny island became known to the world after that.
📍 Where is Howland Island?
First, let’s talk about where Howland Island is on the map. It is in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. That means it is surrounded by water on all sides. You won’t see houses or shops there. It is very quiet and empty.
Next, the island is near the equator. That means it is always warm and sunny. No one lives there today, but birds and sea turtles love it. The U.S. takes care of it now and calls it a wildlife refuge.
🕰️ A Short History of Howland Island
In the past, Howland Island was not always quiet. In the 1800s, people took a white powder from the ground called guano. Guano is bird poop, and it was used to help plants grow! Many ships came to collect it.
Later, in the 1930s, the U.S. tried to make Howland Island a landing spot for planes. They built a small runway. A famous lady named Amelia Earhart was supposed to land there. But her plane disappeared. No one knows what happened. Many people think of her when they think of this island.
🐦 Animals That Live on Howland Island
Even though people don’t live on Howland Island, many animals do. Birds come here to lay eggs. Sea turtles come to the beach. The U.S. government protects these animals.
Because the island is far from cities, the water is very clean. Coral reefs grow near the island. Fish, birds, and sea animals enjoy the peaceful life there.
🏝️ What Does Howland Island Look Like?
Howland Island is flat and not very tall. There are no mountains or rivers. It has sand, dry plants, and some small bushes. It’s only about 1 mile long and half a mile wide. So, you can walk around the island in one day!
The island is shaped like a bean. From the sky, it looks like a little brown dot in the blue ocean. There are no big trees, and it can get very hot in the sun.
🚫 No People on Howland Island
Right now, no one lives on Howland Island. Long ago, the U.S. sent some people to stay there. They tried to make small homes and grow food. But it was hard because there was no fresh water. Later, they left the island.
Today, only scientists or workers sometimes visit. They come by boat or airplane to check on the animals and clean up the island. It is a place for nature, not people.
🌞 Howland Island and the Sun
Did you know Howland Island is one of the last places on Earth to see the sunset? It’s true! Because it is close to the International Date Line, the sun goes down very late there. That’s why people call it the "last place on Earth to see today’s sun."
It may be small, but its time zone is special. Many people find that fun and interesting.
🌎 Who Owns Howland Island?
Howland Island is part of the United States. Even though it is far from the mainland, it is still U.S. territory. The U.S. looks after it and makes sure no one harms it.
There are signs on the island that say it belongs to the U.S. But not many people go there, so the signs are mostly for planes or boats passing by.
✈️ Amelia Earhart and Howland Island
Many people know Howland Island because of Amelia Earhart. She was a brave woman pilot who wanted to fly all around the world. In 1937, she tried to land near Howland Island, but her plane vanished.
Search teams looked everywhere, but they never found her. Some think she may have crashed near the island. Because of that, the island is in many books and movies about her life.
🐠 Howland Island Today
Today, Howland Island is quiet. No guano is taken. No planes land there. It is a peaceful place for animals. The U.S. wants to keep it safe forever.
The island is part of a big sea park called the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument. This means no fishing, no building, and no harming nature.
🚢 How to Visit Howland Island
You cannot visit Howland Island like a regular tourist. There are no hotels or food places. Only special groups like scientists or guards can go there. You must get permission from the U.S. government.
Because it is so far from land, it takes many days by boat or many hours by plane to reach. Most people just learn about it online or read about it in books.
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