Background: The US annexed the reef in 1922. Its sheltered lagoon served as a way station for flying boats on Hawaii-to-American Samoa flights during the late 1930s. There is no flora on the reef, which is frequently awash, but it does support an abundant and diverse marine fauna. In 2001, the waters surrounding the reef were designated a National Wildlife Refuge.

NOTE: The information regarding Kingman Reef on this page is re-published from the 2001 World Fact Book of the United States Central Intelligence Agency. No claims are made regarding the accuracy of Kingman Reef Introduction 2001 information contained here. All suggestions for corrections of any errors about Kingman Reef Introduction 2001 should be addressed to the CIA.