Spratly Islands: Background & Geography

Introduction Spratly Islands
Background:
 The Spratly Islands consist of more than 100 small islands or reefs. They are surrounded by rich fishing grounds and potentially by gas and oil deposits. They are claimed in their entirety by China, Taiwan, and Vietnam, while portions are claimed by Malaysia and the Philippines. About 50 islands are occupied by China (about 450 soldiers), Malaysia (70-90), the Philippines (about 100), and Vietnam (about 1,500). Brunei is a claimant but has no outposts.
Geography Spratly Islands
Location:
 Southeastern Asia, group of reefs and islands in the South China Sea, about two-thirds of the way from southern Vietnam to the southern Philippines
Geographic coordinates:
 8 38 N, 111 55 E
Map references:
 Southeast Asia
Area:
 total: less than 5 sq km
note: includes 100 or so islets, coral reefs, and sea mounts scattered over an area of nearly 410,000 sq km of the central South China Sea
water: 0 sq km
land: less than 5 sq km
Area - comparative:
 NA
Land boundaries:
 0 km
Coastline:
 926 km
Maritime claims - as described in UNCLOS 1982 (see Notes and Definitions):
 NA
Climate:
 tropical
Terrain:
 flat
Elevation extremes:
 lowest point: South China Sea 0 m
highest point: unnamed location on Southwest Cay 4 m
Natural resources:
 fish, guano, undetermined oil and natural gas potential
Land use:
 arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 100% (1998 est.)
Irrigated land:
 0 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards:
 typhoons; serious maritime hazard because of numerous reefs and shoals
Environment - current issues:
 NA
Geography - note:
 strategically located near several primary shipping lanes in the central South China Sea; includes numerous small islands, atolls, shoals, and coral reefs

See Also: