| Paracel Islands (2008) | Paracel Islands (2005) | |
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| Airports | 1 (2007) | 1 (2004 est.) |
| Airports - with paved runways | total: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2007) |
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 |
| 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. China built a military installation on Mischief Reef in 1999. 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. 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 | 0 sq km (1998 est.) |
| Land boundaries | 0 km | 0 km |
| Land use | arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (2005) |
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (2001) |
| 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 |