1996 Edition
CIA World Factbook 1996 (Project Gutenberg)
Countries
256
Data Records
32,906
Categories
7
Source
CIA World Factbook 1996 (Project Gutenberg)
Introduction
Location
16 30 N, 112 00 E -- 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
Geography
Area
- comparative area
- NA
- land area
- NA sq km
- total area
- NA sq km
Climate
tropical
Coastline
518 km
Environment
- current issues
- NA
- international agreements
- NA
- natural hazards
- typhoons
Geographic coordinates
16 30 N, 112 00 E
International disputes
occupied by China, but claimed by Taiwan and Vietnam
Irrigated land
0 sq km
Land boundaries
0 km
Land use
- arable land
- 0%
- forest and woodland
- 0%
- meadows and pastures
- 0%
- other
- 100%
- permanent crops
- 0%
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
Map references
Southeast Asia
Maritime claims
NA
Natural resources
none
Terrain
- NA
- highest point
- unnamed location on Rocky Island 14 m
- lowest point
- South China Sea 0 m
People and Society
Population
no indigenous inhabitants; note - there are scattered Chinese garrisons
Government
Data code
PF
Name of country
- conventional long form
- none
- conventional short form
- Paracel Islands
Economy
Economic overview
no economic activity
Communications
Defense note
occupied by China
Radio broadcast stations
AM NA, FM NA, shortwave NA
Radios
NA
Telephone system
- domestic
- NA
- international
- NA
Television broadcast stations
NA
Televisions
NA Defense
Transportation
Airports
- total
- 1
- with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m
- 1 (on Woody Island) (1995 est.)
Ports
small Chinese port facilities on Woody Island and Duncan Island being expanded