Paracel Islands (2005) | Paracel Islands (2008) | |
Airports | 1 (2004 est.) | 1 (2007) |
Airports - with paved runways | total: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2004 est.) |
total: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2007) |
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 |
Area - comparative | NA | NA |
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 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. China built a military installation on Mischief Reef in 1999. The islands are claimed by Taiwan and Vietnam. |
Climate | tropical | tropical |
Coastline | 518 km | 518 km |
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, also claimed by Taiwan and Vietnam | occupied by China, also claimed by Taiwan and Vietnam |
Economy - overview | China announced plans in 1997 to open the islands for tourism. | China announced plans in 1997 to open the islands for tourism. |
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 |
Environment - current issues | NA | NA |
Geographic coordinates | 16 30 N, 112 00 E | 16 30 N, 112 00 E |
Geography - note | composed of 130 small coral islands and reefs divided into the northeast Amphitrite Group and the western Crescent Group | composed of 130 small coral islands and reefs divided into the northeast Amphitrite Group and the western Crescent Group |
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% (2001) |
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (2005) |
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 | 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 |
Map references | Southeast Asia | Southeast Asia |
Maritime claims | NA | NA |
Military - note | occupied by China | occupied by China |
Natural hazards | typhoons | typhoons |
Natural resources | none | none |
Population | no indigenous inhabitants
note: there are scattered Chinese garrisons |
no indigenous inhabitants
note: there are scattered Chinese garrisons |
Ports and harbors | small Chinese port facilities on Woody Island and Duncan Island being expanded | - |
Terrain | mostly low and flat | mostly low and flat |