Canton Island

Canton Island, also known as Kanton or Abariringa, is a unique atoll in the South Pacific Ocean.

It serves as the largest and northernmost island in the Phoenix Islands. This group of islands is part of the Republic of Kiribati. As an atoll, the island consists of a narrow ribbon of land surrounding a central lagoon. The island sits roughly halfway between Hawaii and Fiji. Its closest neighbor is the uninhabited Enderbury Island, located to the west-southwest.

The island's shape is often described as looking like a large pork chop.

The geography of the atoll is defined by its coral structures. The land rim varies in width and elevation across the island. One specific area in the southeast corner is called Pyramid Point. The lagoon is accessible through two entrances on the west side. The main channel features strong currents of up to 2.5 knots. Inside the lagoon, four north-south reef ledges reduce water flow. These ledges help suppress coral growth in certain areas. However, the coral gardens near the entrance are very extensive.

These gardens include Acropora tables and staghorn corals growing over sandy bottoms.

The marine environment is incredibly diverse and highly developed. The lagoon holds 153 different species of fish. These include sharks, stingrays, eels, and tuna. Many different coral species thrive here, such as Montipora efflorescens and Pavona varians. In some areas, the live coral cover is very high. Some small patch reefs have a live coral cover approaching 100%. This makes the coral communities on Kanton more developed than on other islands in the Phoenix Group. The ecosystem relies on these complex reef structures to support its many inhabitants.

History shows that the island has had many different names. In 1824, the whaler Mary visited the island. It was originally named Mary Balcoutts Island, likely after a woman named Mary Boulcott.

This spelling was often incorrect on old charts and books. The modern name, Canton, comes from the New Bedford whaler Canton. This ship wrecked on the outer shore in March 1854. Captain Andrew Johnson Wing and his crew survived the wreck. They spent 49 days in four open boats to reach Guam. This was a distance of 2,900 nautical miles.

In the 20th century, the island became a site of political competition. The United Kingdom and the United States both claimed the island. In 1937, American and New Zealand scientists visited to observe a total solar eclipse. This event led to competing claims of sovereignty. Eventually, the two nations agreed to a condominium. This meant they would rule the island jointly for fifty years. During this time, they operated together to manage island facilities. They even ran a single building that housed both British and American post offices.

Canton Island became a vital "airplane oasis" during the mid-1900s. Pan American World Airways began using the island in 1939. They built facilities to support flying boat services to New Zealand.

During World War II, the United States Navy built an airstrip at the northwest corner. This made the island a key stopover for flights to Australia and New Zealand. The island was also a staging point for attacks on the Gilbert Islands. Despite being shelled by Japanese submarines, the island remained a functional hub. A full community was built to support these airline operations. This included a hotel, a school, and an electrical power station.

Today, the island is much quieter and focuses on conservation. The population has decreased significantly over recent decades. In 2000, there were 61 residents, but by 2021, only 20 people remained.

Most of the land is bare coral covered by low herbs and bunch grass. The village of Tebaronga is the only settlement. Much of the surrounding area is now part of the Phoenix Islands Protected Area. This marine reserve includes eight coral atolls. Over 50% of the island and lagoon are now in a protected conservation zone. This helps ensure the survival of the island's unique natural resources.