The name of the small Pacific island known as Wake Island is spelled with the phonetic sounds /weyk/ and /ˈaɪlənd/. The first part, "wake," is pronounced as it is spelled, with the long "a" sound and the hard "k" sound. The second part, "island," has the typical pronunciation of "eye-land" with the emphasis on the first syllable. The spelling of the word "Wake" in this context is believed to have originated from the English word "wake," meaning a watch kept over a dead body before burial.
Wake Island is a remote coral atoll located in the western Pacific Ocean. It is administered as an unincorporated territory of the United States and is part of the Micronesia region. The island is named after British captain William Wake, who rediscovered it in 1796.
This small landmass, with a total area of about 7.4 square kilometers (2.9 square miles), consists of three islands: Wake, Wilkes, and Peale. It is geographically positioned near the northern end of the chain of islands formed by the Marshall Islands. Due to its strategic location, Wake Island has played a significant role in military operations and defense throughout history.
Wake Island serves as an important air and naval refueling stop, and it has a strategic airstrip that can accommodate both civilian and military aircraft. Its location also serves as a pivotal point in international air travel and communication routes across the Pacific.
The island's terrain is predominantly low-lying, sandy, and covered in vegetation. It has a tropical climate with high humidity, warm temperatures, and periodic typhoons.
Wake Island has a small population, primarily consisting of military personnel and contractor employees who operate and maintain essential facilities and services. Its economy relies heavily on military activities, including refueling operations and the management of classified facilities.
In summary, Wake Island is a remote atoll in the western Pacific Ocean known for its strategic location and significant role in military operations. It is an unincorporated territory of the United States and serves as an important air and naval refueling stop.
The word Wake in Wake Island is derived from the name of Captain William Wake, an English sea captain who rediscovered the island in 1796. He reported it under the name of Wake's Island, and over time, it became simply known as Wake Island. Captain Wake's first name is unrelated to the term wake meaning a vigil or funeral gathering, which comes from Old English wacu, meaning watch or vigil.