formerly Brooks Islands
Unincorporated U.S. territory, central Pacific Ocean.
Midway consists of two coral islands, Eastern and Sand islands, with a total land area of 2 sq mi (5 sq km); there is no permanent population. Claimed for the U.S. in 1859 by Capt. N.C. Brooks, the islands were formally annexed in 1867. Their location, over 1,300 mi (2,100 km) northwest of Honolulu , gave them strategic importance for U.S. forces during World War II, and in 1941 the U.S. Navy established an air and submarine base there. The Battle of Midway (1942) took place in nearby waters. Midway also served as a commercial air base. Its airfield was closed in 1993.