Navassa Island - 150 Year Anniversary

Ever hear of Navassa Island? It was supposedly discovered by Columbus in 1504. You can read about it in todays New York Times. The USA has "owned" the 3 sq. mi. island for 150 years. The island is located south of "Gitmo", East of Jamaica and West of Haiti. According to the NYT article the island was valuable because it was made up largely of guano (bird droppings) which are high in phosphates. Had the reporter gone to the Navassa Island website maintained by the USGS they would have found that the phosphates are likely derived from guano, but guano that is 2 million years old. This material is known as oolitic phosphate.

To understand how it came about that the USA owns Navassa Island, read about the Guano Islands Act of 1856.

Whenever any citizen of the United States discovers a deposit of
guano on any island, rock, or key, not within the lawful
jurisdiction of any other government, and not occupied by the
citizens of any other government, and takes peaceable possession
thereof, and occupies the same, such island, rock, or key may, at
the discretion of the President, be considered as appertaining to
the United States. [and here]

The Navassa Island website is one of the most interesting websites I have ever visited. It is loaded with information and photos. You can "explore" the islands geology, biology and history. You can virtually "hike, sail, fly or scuba" the island.

Navassa Island is home to over 650 different species of animal and plant life. It appears to be home to the last Pseudopheonix palm tree known to exist. In 1999, Navassa was made a national wildlife refuge and is now administered by the US Fish and Wildlife Service.

Haiti disputes the ownership of the island.