Paracel Islands (2001) | Glorioso Islands (2004) | |
Airports | 1 (2000 est.) | 1 (2003 est.) |
Airports - with paved runways | total:
1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2000 est.) |
- |
Airports - with unpaved runways | - | total: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2004 est.) |
Area | total:
NA sq km land: NA sq km water: 0 sq km |
total: 5 sq km
land: 5 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes Ile Glorieuse, Ile du Lys, Verte Rocks, Wreck Rock, and South Rock |
Area - comparative | NA | about eight times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC |
Background | This archipelago is surrounded by productive fishing grounds and potentially large oil reserves. In 1932, French Indochina annexed the islands and set up a weather station on Prattle Island; maintenance was continued by its successor Vietnam. China has occupied the Paracel Islands since 1974, when its troops captured a South Vietnamese garrison occupying the western islands. However, the islands are still claimed by Vietnam and Taiwan. | A French possession since 1892, the Glorioso Islands are composed of two lushly vegetated coral islands (Ile Glorieuse and Ile du Lys) and three rock islets. A military garrison operates a weather and radio station on Ile Glorieuse. |
Climate | tropical | tropical |
Coastline | 518 km | 35.2 km |
Country name | conventional long form:
none conventional short form: Paracel Islands |
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Glorioso Islands local long form: none local short form: Iles Glorieuses |
Dependency status | - | possession of France; administered by a high commissioner of the Republic, resident in Reunion |
Diplomatic representation from the US | - | none (possession of France) |
Diplomatic representation in the US | - | none (possession of France) |
Disputes - international | occupied by China, but claimed by Taiwan and Vietnam | claimed by Madagascar |
Economy - overview | China announced plans in 1997 to open the islands for tourism. | no economic activity |
Elevation extremes | lowest point:
South China Sea 0 m highest point: unnamed location on Rocky Island 14 m |
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location 12 m |
Environment - current issues | NA | NA |
Flag description | - | the flag of France is used |
Geographic coordinates | 16 30 N, 112 00 E | 11 30 S, 47 20 E |
Geography - note | - | the islands and rocks are surrounded by an extensive reef system |
Irrigated land | 0 sq km (1993) | 0 sq km (1998 est.) |
Land boundaries | 0 km | 0 km |
Land use | arable land:
0% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 0% forests and woodland: 0% other: 100% |
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (all lush vegetation and coconut palms) (2001) |
Legal system | - | the laws of France, where applicable, apply |
Location | Southeastern Asia, group of small islands and reefs in the South China Sea, about one-third of the way from central Vietnam to the northern Philippines | Southern Africa, group of islands in the Indian Ocean, northwest of Madagascar |
Map references | Southeast Asia | Africa |
Maritime claims | NA | territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm |
Military - note | occupied by China | defense is the responsibility of France |
Natural hazards | typhoons | periodic cyclones |
Natural resources | none | guano, coconuts |
Population | no indigenous inhabitants
note: there are scattered Chinese garrisons (July 2001 est.) |
no indigenous inhabitants
note: there is a small French military garrison along with a few meteorologists; visited by scientists (July 2004 est.) |
Ports and harbors | small Chinese port facilities on Woody Island and Duncan Island being expanded | none; offshore anchorage only |
Terrain | mostly low and flat | low and flat |
Waterways | none | - |