Palmyra Atoll: the place of legends

Palmyra Atoll is one part of the Northern Line Island chain and is a territory of the United States. It is  located almost due south of Hawaii. The nearest continent is almost 3,355 miles to the northeast.

Many legends are told about this remote lump of coral in the literal middle of nowhere.

Allegedly in 1816, pirates stole a  ship, laden with gold and other treasure (stolen from Peru) the Esperanza, but hit the reef at Palmyra. The whereabouts of the treasure and the pirates are unknown.

Previously part of the Hawaiian kingdom, and previously a privately owned island by American Henry Cooper  (and the subject of a real murder mystery https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/And_the_Sea_Will_Tell ), in 1962, it was also used by  the Department of Defense as an observation site during several high-altitude nuclear weapons tests  above " nearby"  Johnston Atoll.I n 2003, it was purchased by the Nature Conservancy (  https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/united-states/hawaii/stories-in-hawaii/palmyra-175-years-of-science/ ).

Visitation is limited and by permit only.  Typically,  there are 4-15 residents (scientists) at any given time.  Palmyra is home to many recognized shark, reef, and avian studies.

It is 4.6 square miles.

It is one of the only atolls that was not actually subjected to nuclear testing.

Sadly, due to its location where the southern and northern currents meet, plastic and plastic bottles literally litter the beaches. It does, however,  have one of the most diverse and spectacular coral reef systems in the world.  I can't wait to check it out!