Page last updated on October 25, 2013

Introduction:
Background:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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 all the Paracel Islands since 1974, when its troops seized a South Vietnamese garrison occupying the western islands. China built a military installation on Woody Island with an airfield and artificial harbor. The islands also are claimed by Taiwan and Vietnam.
Geography:
Location:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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
Geographic coordinates:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
16 30 N, 112 00 E
Map references:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Southeast Asia
Area:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: ca. 7.75 sq km
land: ca. 7.75 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA
Land boundaries:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 km
Coastline:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
518 km
Maritime claims:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA
Climate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
tropical
Terrain:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
mostly low and flat
Elevation extremes:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
lowest point: South China Sea 0 m
highest point: unnamed location on Rocky Island 14 m
Natural resources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
none
Land use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 100% (2011)
Irrigated land:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 sq km (2011)
Natural hazards:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
typhoons
Environment - current issues:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA
Geography - note:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
composed of 130 small coral islands and reefs divided into the northeast Amphitrite Group and the western Crescent Group
Population:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
no indigenous inhabitants
note: there are scattered Chinese garrisons
Government:
Country name:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Paracel Islands
Economy:
Economy - overview:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
The islands have the potential for oil and gas development. Waters around the islands support commercial fishing, but the islands themselves are not populated on a permanent basis.
Transportation:
Airports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 230
Airports - with paved runways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2013)
Ports and terminals:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
small Chinese port facilities on Woody Island and Duncan Island
Military:
Military - note:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
occupied by China