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Compare Paracel Islands (2003) - Baker Island (2006)

Compare Paracel Islands (2003) z Baker Island (2006)

 Paracel Islands (2003)Baker Island (2006)
 Paracel IslandsBaker Island
Airports 1 (2002) one abandoned World War II runway of 1,665 m covered with vegetation and unusable (2006)
Airports - with paved runways total: 1


1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2002)
-
Area total: NA sq km


land: NA sq km


water: 0 sq km
total: 1.4 sq km


land: 1.4 sq km


water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative NA about 2.5 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
Background 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. The US took possession of the island in 1857, and its guano deposits were mined by US and British companies during the second half of the 19th century. In 1935, a short-lived attempt at colonization was begun on this island - as well as on nearby Howland Island - but was disrupted by World War II and thereafter abandoned. Presently the island is a National Wildlife Refuge run by the US Department of the Interior; a day beacon is situated near the middle of the west coast.
Climate tropical equatorial; scant rainfall, constant wind, burning sun
Coastline 518 km 4.8 km
Country name conventional long form: none


conventional short form: Paracel Islands
conventional long form: none


conventional short form: Baker Island
Dependency status - unincorporated territory of the US; administered from Washington, DC, by the Fish and Wildlife Service of the US Department of the Interior as part of the National Wildlife Refuge system
Disputes - international occupied by China, but claimed by Taiwan and Vietnam none
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: Pacific Ocean 0 m


highest point: unnamed location 8 m
Environment - current issues NA no natural fresh water resources
Flag description - the flag of the US is used
Geographic coordinates 16 30 N, 112 00 E 0 13 N, 176 28 W
Geography - note composed of 130 small coral islands and reefs divided into the northeast Amphitrite Group and the western Crescent Group treeless, sparse, and scattered vegetation consisting of grasses, prostrate vines, and low growing shrubs; primarily a nesting, roosting, and foraging habitat for seabirds, shorebirds, and marine wildlife
Irrigated land 0 sq km (1998 est.) 0 sq km
Land boundaries 0 km 0 km
Land use arable land: 0%


permanent crops: 0%


other: 100% (1998 est.)
arable land: 0%


permanent crops: 0%


other: 100% (2005)
Legal system - the laws of the US, 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 Oceania, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, about half way between Hawaii and Australia
Map references Southeast Asia Oceania
Maritime claims NA territorial sea: 12 nm


exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Military - note occupied by China defense is the responsibility of the US; visited annually by the US Coast Guard
Natural hazards typhoons the narrow fringing reef surrounding the island can be a maritime hazard
Natural resources none guano (deposits worked until 1891), terrestrial and aquatic wildlife
Population no indigenous inhabitants


note: there are scattered Chinese garrisons (July 2003 est.)
uninhabited


note: American civilians evacuated in 1942 after Japanese air and naval attacks during World War II; occupied by US military during World War II, but abandoned after the war; public entry is by special-use permit from US Fish and Wildlife Service only and generally restricted to scientists and educators; a cemetery and remnants of structures from early settlement are located near the middle of the west coast; visited annually by US Fish and Wildlife Service (2005 est.)
Ports and harbors small Chinese port facilities on Woody Island and Duncan Island being expanded -
Terrain mostly low and flat low, nearly level coral island surrounded by a narrow fringing reef
Transportation - note - there is a day beacon near the middle of the west coast
Waterways none -
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