Page last updated on October 25, 2013

Introduction:
Background:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
The Spratly Islands consist of more than 100 small islands or reefs. They are surrounded by rich fishing grounds and potentially by gas and oil deposits. They are claimed in their entirety by China, Taiwan, and Vietnam, while portions are claimed by Malaysia and the Philippines. About 45 islands are occupied by relatively small numbers of military forces from China, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam. Since 1985 Brunei has claimed a continental shelf that overlaps a southern reef but has not made any formal claim to the reef. Brunei claims an exclusive economic zone over this area.
Geography:
Location:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Southeastern Asia, group of reefs and islands in the South China Sea, about two-thirds of the way from southern Vietnam to the southern Philippines
Geographic coordinates:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
8 38 N, 111 55 E
Map references:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Southeast Asia
Area:
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total: less than 5 sq km
country comparison to the world: 248
land: less than 5 sq km
water: 0 sq km
note: includes 100 or so islets, coral reefs, and sea mounts scattered over an area of nearly 410,000 sq km of the central South China Sea
Area - comparative:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA
Land boundaries:
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0 km
Coastline:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
926 km
Maritime claims:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA
Climate:
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tropical
Terrain:
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flat
Elevation extremes:
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lowest point: South China Sea 0 m
highest point: unnamed location on Southwest Cay 4 m
Natural resources:
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fish, guano, undetermined oil and natural gas potential
Land use:
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arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 100% (2011)
Irrigated land:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
5,700 sq km (2006)
Natural hazards:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
typhoons; numerous reefs and shoals pose a serious maritime hazard
Environment - current issues:
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NA
Geography - note:
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strategically located near several primary shipping lanes in the central South China Sea; includes numerous small islands, atolls, shoals, and coral reefs
Population:
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no indigenous inhabitants
note: there are scattered garrisons occupied by military personnel of several claimant states
Government:
Country name:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Spratly Islands
Economy:
Economy - overview:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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. There are no reliable estimates of potential reserves. Commercial exploitation has yet to be developed.
Transportation:
Airports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
4 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 191
Airports - with paved runways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 3
914 to 1,523 m: 2
under 914 m: 1 (2013)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
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total: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2013)
Heliports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3 (2013)
Ports and terminals:
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none; offshore anchorage only
Military:
Military - note:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Spratly Islands consist of more than 100 small islands or reefs of which about 45 are claimed and occupied by China, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam