| Paracel Islands (2001) | Paracel Islands (2005) | |
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| Airports | 1 (2000 est.) | 1 (2004 est.) | 
| Airports - with paved runways | total: 
 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2000 est.)  | 
				total: 1 
 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2004 est.)  | 
				
| Area | total: 
 NA sq km land: NA sq km water: 0 sq km  | 
				total: NA sq km 
 land: NA sq km water: 0 sq km  | 
				
| 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. | The Paracel Islands are surrounded by productive fishing grounds and by potential oil and gas reserves. In 1932, French Indochina annexed the islands and set up a weather station on Pattle Island; maintenance was continued by its successor, Vietnam. China has occupied the Paracel Islands since 1974, when its troops seized a South Vietnamese garrison occupying the western islands. The islands are claimed by Taiwan and Vietnam. | 
| Country name | conventional long form: 
 none conventional short form: Paracel Islands  | 
				conventional long form: none 
 conventional short form: Paracel Islands  | 
				
| Disputes - international | occupied by China, but claimed by Taiwan and Vietnam | occupied by China, also claimed by Taiwan and Vietnam | 
| Elevation extremes | lowest point: 
 South China Sea 0 m highest point: unnamed location on Rocky Island 14 m  | 
				lowest point: South China Sea 0 m 
 highest point: unnamed location on Rocky Island 14 m  | 
				
| Geography - note | - | composed of 130 small coral islands and reefs divided into the northeast Amphitrite Group and the western Crescent Group | 
| Irrigated land | 0 sq km (1993) | 0 sq km (1998 est.) | 
| 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% (2001)  | 
				
| Population | no indigenous inhabitants
 note: there are scattered Chinese garrisons (July 2001 est.)  | 
				no indigenous inhabitants 
 note: there are scattered Chinese garrisons  | 
				
| Waterways | none | - |