Palmyra Atoll is the only incorporated territory in the United States without a permanent population.

Countries & Cities · Published 29 September 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Located at the approximate center of the Pacific Ocean, this uninhabited coral atoll is a unique legal anomaly. As the only officially incorporated U.S. territory, it is subject to the full U.S. Constitution, yet it lacks any local government or permanent residents, existing instead as a protected nature reserve.

Palmyra Atoll is a low-lying, 4.6-square-mile collection of islets and reefs situated roughly 3,300 miles from both North America and New Zealand. While it has been known by various names since its discovery in 1802, it is currently the only incorporated, unorganized territory in the United States. Unlike mere possessions, incorporated territories are considered integral parts of the nation. However, because no permanent population lives there, the standard mechanisms of state or local governance do not apply. Instead, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service administers the land from Honolulu, while the Department of the Interior manages the submerged tracts.

The atoll’s modern history is defined by its strategic value and private ownership. During World War II, the U.S. Navy transformed the landscape, dredging channels and constructing an airstrip to support refueling operations for transpacific flights. Today, most of the land is owned by The Nature Conservancy, which purchased the property from the Fullard-Leo family in 2000 for $30 million. The organization manages the site as a nature reserve, hosting a transient population of scientists and researchers who study the atoll’s rich biodiversity, which includes over 150 species of coral.

Beyond its scientific value, Palmyra is shrouded in legends of lost treasure. Stories dating back to the 19th century claim that a pirate ship carrying gold and silver looted from the Viceroyalty of Peru wrecked on the reef in 1816. While these tales of buried wealth have inspired literature, including works by Jack London, they remain largely folkloric. Legal attempts to claim such treasures have been met with resistance from the atoll's landowners, leaving the mystery of the Esperanza’s cargo as part of the island's enduring, if unverified, lore.

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