Skip to main content

WFBThe World Factbook

Countries
Maps
References
About

Wake Island

Photos

8 Photos

8 Photos

Filter Categories

All

Filters

All

The atoll of Wake Island is composed of Wake Island proper and the smaller Peale and Wilkes Islands for a total land surface area of 6.5 sq km (2.5 sq mi). Like many atolls in the Pacific, the islands and associated reefs formed around a submerged volcano. The lagoon in the center of the islands marks the approximate location of the summit crater. Image courtesy of NASA.

The atoll of Wake Island is composed of Wake Island proper and the smaller Peale and Wilkes Islands for a total land surface area of 6.5 sq km (2.5 sq mi). Like many atolls in the Pacific, the islands and associated reefs formed around a submerged volcano. The lagoon in the center of the islands marks the approximate location of the summit crater. Image courtesy of NASA.

Dramatic photo of Wake Island as seen past the refueling boom of a Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft. The view of the island is from the east. Photo courtesy of the US Air Force.

Dramatic photo of Wake Island as seen past the refueling boom of a Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft. The view of the island is from the east. Photo courtesy of the US Air Force.

A closer view of Wake Island and its facilities. Photo courtesy of the US Air Force.

A closer view of Wake Island and its facilities. Photo courtesy of the US Air Force.

United States Marine Corps memorial to the defenders of Wake Island in December 1941. For 16 days, beginning 8 December 1941, a combined military force of Marine ground and air units, Naval aviation personnel, and an Army detachment - augmented by civilian contractors - resisted near constant attacks by Japanese forces. In the end the island defenders were overwhelmed by the Japanese forces who then occupied the atoll until the end of World War II. Photo courtesy of the US Air Force.

United States Marine Corps memorial to the defenders of Wake Island in December 1941. For 16 days, beginning 8 December 1941, a combined military force of Marine ground and air units, Naval aviation personnel, and an Army detachment - augmented by civilian contractors - resisted near constant attacks by Japanese forces. In the end the island defenders were overwhelmed by the Japanese forces who then occupied the atoll until the end of World War II. Photo courtesy of the US Air Force.

Wake Island memorial to 98 civilian contractors killed by Japanese soldiers during their occupation of the island in World War II. Photo courtesy of the US Air Force.

Wake Island memorial to 98 civilian contractors killed by Japanese soldiers during their occupation of the island in World War II. Photo courtesy of the US Air Force.

An aerial view of Wilkes Island, one of the three islands making up Wake Atoll. Located on the west side of the atoll, Wilkes Island is now home to a bird sanctuary of approximately 12 different species of both sea and shore birds and about 40,000 birds total. This conservation effort is a joint project between the US Air Force and the US Fish and Wildlife Service of the Department of the Interior. Photo courtesy of the US Air Force.

An aerial view of Wilkes Island, one of the three islands making up Wake Atoll. Located on the west side of the atoll, Wilkes Island is now home to a bird sanctuary of approximately 12 different species of both sea and shore birds and about 40,000 birds total. This conservation effort is a joint project between the US Air Force and the US Fish and Wildlife Service of the Department of the Interior. Photo courtesy of the US Air Force.

A US Air Force B-2 bomber takes off from Wake Island airfield during a routine training exercise. The airfield on Wake Island is a strategic air facility that supports the projection of US military power into the Western Pacific. The airfield on Wake Island normally supports about 400 aircraft visits per year. Photo courtesy of the US Air Force.

A US Air Force B-2 bomber takes off from Wake Island airfield during a routine training exercise. The airfield on Wake Island is a strategic air facility that supports the projection of US military power into the Western Pacific. The airfield on Wake Island normally supports about 400 aircraft visits per year. Photo courtesy of the US Air Force.

A Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense interceptor is launched from a THAAD battery on Wake Island. In this test the THAAD system intercepted two air-launched ballistic-missile targets. Wake Island is an important launch facility for the Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defense Test Site, managed by the US Missile Defense Agency from Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands. Photo courtesy of the US Missile Defense Agency.

A Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense interceptor is launched from a THAAD battery on Wake Island. In this test the THAAD system intercepted two air-launched ballistic-missile targets. Wake Island is an important launch facility for the Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defense Test Site, managed by the US Missile Defense Agency from Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands. Photo courtesy of the US Missile Defense Agency.

Usage

Factbook images and photos — obtained from a variety of sources — are in the public domain and are copyright free.

View Copyright Notice

Agency

About CIA
Organization
Director of the CIA
CIA Museum
News & Stories

Careers

Working at CIA
How We Hire
Student Programs
Browse CIA Jobs

Resources

Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)
Center for the Study of Intelligence (CSI)
The World Factbook
Spy Kids

Connect with CIA

Instagram Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Youtube Flickr

Search CIA.gov Site Policies Privacy No FEAR Act Inspector General USA.gov Sitemap