1996 Edition
CIA World Factbook 1996 (Project Gutenberg)
Introduction
Location
8 38 N, 111 55 E -- Southeastern Asia, group of reefs in the South China Sea, about two-thirds of the way from southern Vietnam to the southern Philippines
Geography
Area
- comparative area
- NA
- land area
- less than 5 sq km
- note
- includes 100 or so islets, coral reefs, and sea mounts scattered over the South China Sea
- total area
- NA sq km but less than 5 sq km
Climate
tropical
Coastline
926 km
Environment
- current issues
- NA
- international agreements
- NA
- natural hazards
- typhoons; serious maritime hazard because of numerous reefs and shoals
Geographic coordinates
8 38 N, 111 55 E
Geographic note
strategically located near several primary shipping lanes in the central South China Sea; includes numerous small islands, atolls, shoals, and coral reefs
International disputes
all of the Spratly Islands are claimed by China, Taiwan, and Vietnam; parts of them are claimed by Malaysia and the Philippines; in 1984, Brunei established an exclusive economic zone, which encompasses Louisa Reef, but has not publicly claimed the island
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 reefs in the South China Sea, about two-thirds of the way from southern Vietnam to the southern Philippines
Map references
Southeast Asia
Maritime claims
NA
Natural resources
fish, guano, undetermined oil and natural gas potential
Terrain
- flat
- highest point
- unnamed location on Southwest Cay 4 m
- lowest point
- South China Sea 0 m
People and Society
Population
no indigenous inhabitants; note - there are scattered garrisons
Government
Data code
PG
Name of country
- conventional long form
- none
- conventional short form
- Spratly Islands
Economy
Economic overview
Economic activity is limited to commercial fishing. The proximity to nearby oil- and gas-producing sedimentary basins suggests the potential for oil and gas deposits, but the region is largely unexplored, and there are no reliable estimates of potential reserves; commercial exploitation has yet to be developed.
Industries
none
Communications
Defense note
about 50 small islands or reefs are occupied by China, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam
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
- 4
- with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m
- 1
- with paved runways under 914 m
- 2
- with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m
- 1 (1995 est.)
Ports
none