Midway Islands Midway Islands Background The US took formal possession of the islands in 1867. The laying of the trans-Pacific cable, which passed through the islands, brought the first residents in 1903. Between 1935 and 1947, Midway was used as a refueling stop for trans-Pacific flights. The US naval victory over a Japanese fleet off Midway in 1942 was one of the turning points of World War II. The islands continued to serve as a naval station until closed in 1993. Today the islands are a national wildlife refuge. From 1996 to 2001 the refuge was open to the public. It is now temporarily closed. Midway Islands Economy The economy is based on providing support services for the national wildlife refuge activities located on the islands. All food and manufactured goods must be imported. Midway Islands Location Oceania, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, about one-third of the way from Honolulu to Tokyo Midway Islands Flag the flag of the US is used
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