2008 Edition
CIA World Factbook 2008 (Project Gutenberg)
Introduction
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.
Geography
Area
total: NA sq km land: NA sq km water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative
NA
Climate
tropical
Coastline
518 km
Elevation extremes
lowest point: South China Sea 0 m highest point: unnamed location on Rocky Island 14 m
Environment - current issues
NA
Geographic coordinates
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
Irrigated land
0 sq km
Land boundaries
0 km
Land use
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
Map references
Southeast Asia
Maritime claims
NA
Natural hazards
typhoons
Natural resources
none
Terrain
mostly low and flat
People and Society
Population
no indigenous inhabitants note: there are scattered Chinese garrisons
Government
Country name
conventional long form: none conventional short form: Paracel Islands
Economy
Economy - overview
China announced plans in 1997 to open the islands for tourism.
Transportation
Airports
1 (2007)
Airports - with paved runways
total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2007)
Ports and terminals
small Chinese port facilities on Woody Island and Duncan Island being expanded
Military and Security
Military - note
occupied by China
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international
occupied by China, also claimed by Taiwan and Vietnam This page was last updated on 18 December, 2008