Paracel Islands (2007) | Paracel Islands (2002) | |
Airports | 1 (2007) | 1 (2001) |
Airports - with paved runways | total: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2007) |
total: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2002) |
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. | This archipelago is 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 Vietnam and Taiwan. |
Disputes - international | occupied by China, also claimed by Taiwan and Vietnam | occupied by China, but claimed by Taiwan and Vietnam |
Irrigated land | 0 sq km | 0 sq km (1998 est.) |
Land use | arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (2005) |
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (1998 est.) |
Population | no indigenous inhabitants
note: there are scattered Chinese garrisons |
no indigenous inhabitants
note: there are scattered Chinese garrisons (July 2002 est.) |
Ports and harbors | - | small Chinese port facilities on Woody Island and Duncan Island being expanded |
Waterways | - | none |