PHOENIX ISLANDS, a group of eight small islands in the Pacific Ocean, about 3° S, and 172° W., belonging to Great Britain. They have a land area about 16 sq. m. and a population of 60. Their names are Phoenix, Gardner (Kemin), Hull, Sydney, Birnie, Enderbury, Canton (Mary) and McKean. To the north-west of the group (between the equator and 1° N.) lie two more islets—Baker and Howland. The islands were annexed by Great Britain in 1889–1892.