SELECT EDITION
CATEGORIES
◆ COMMUNICATIONS(2 fields)
Airports
3 total, 2 usable; none with runways over 2,439 m; 1 with runways 1,220-2,439 m
Ports
no natural harbors
◆ DEFENSE FORCES(1 fields)
Note
approximately 50 small islands or reefs are occupied by China, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam
◆ ECONOMY(2 fields)
Industries
some guano mining
Overview
Economic activity is limited to commercial fishing and phosphate mining. Geological surveys carried out several years ago suggest that substantial reserves of oil and natural gas may lie beneath the islands; commercial exploitation has yet to be developed.
◆ GEOGRAPHY(12 fields)
Climate
tropical
Coastline
926 km
Comparative area
undetermined
Disputes
China, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam claim all or part of the Spratly Islands
Environment
subject to typhoons; includes numerous small islands, atolls, shoals, and coral reefs
Land boundaries
none
Land use
arable land 0%; permanent crops 0%; meadows and pastures 0%; forest and woodland 0%; other 100%
Maritime claims
undetermined
Natural resources
fish, guano; oil and natural gas potential
Note
strategically located near several primary shipping lanes in the central South China Sea; serious navigational hazard
Terrain
flat
Total area
less than 5 km2; land area: less than 5 km2; includes 100 or so islets, coral reefs, and sea mounts scattered over the South China Sea
◆ GOVERNMENT(1 fields)
Long-form name
none
◆ PEOPLE(1 fields)
Population
no permanent inhabitants; garrisons