Spratly Islands:
Geography

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Other pages in this profile of the Spratly Islands:
People, Government, Economy, Communications & Transportation, Military & Transnational Issues.


Background	The Spratly Islands consist of more than 100 small islands or reefs. They are surrounded by rich fishing grounds and potentially by gas and oil deposits. They are claimed in their entirety by China, Taiwan, and Vietnam, while portions are claimed by Malaysia and the Philippines. About 45 islands are occupied by relatively small numbers of military forces from China, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam. Brunei has established a fishing zone that overlaps a southern reef but has not made any formal claim.

Location	Southeastern Asia, group of reefs and islands in the South China Sea, about two-thirds of the way from southern Vietnam to the southern Philippines
Geographic coordinates	8 38 N, 111 55 E
Map references	Southeast Asia
Area	total: less than 5 sq km land: less than 5 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes 100 or so islets, coral reefs, and sea mounts scattered over an area of nearly 410,000 sq km of the central South China Sea
Area - comparative	NA
Land boundaries	0 km
Coastline	926 km
Maritime claims	NA
Climate	tropical
Terrain	flat
Elevation extremes	lowest point: South China Sea 0 m highest point: unnamed location on Southwest Cay 4 m
Natural resources	fish, guano, undetermined oil and natural gas potential
Land use	arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (2005)
Irrigated land	0 sq km
Natural hazards	typhoons; numerous reefs and shoals pose a serious maritime hazard
Environment - current issues	NA
Geography - note	strategically located near several primary shipping lanes in the central South China Sea; includes numerous small islands, atolls, shoals, and coral reefs

Spratly Islands: Geography

Spratly Islands:
Geography