Spratly Islands Geography:
Location:
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:
8 38 N, 111 55 E
Map references:
Area:
total:
less than 5 sq km
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:
NA
Land boundaries:
total: 0 km
border countries: NA
Coastline:
926 km
Maritime claims:
NA
Climate:
Tropical
Terrain:
Flat
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: South China Sea 0 m
highest point: unnamed location 4 m on Southwest Cay
Natural resources:
Fish, guano, undetermined oil and natural gas potential
Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 100%
(2001)
Irrigated land:
0 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards:
Typhoons; serious maritime hazard because of numerous reefs and shoals
Environment - current issues:
NA
Environment - international agreements:
party to: NA
signed, but not ratified: NA
Geography - Note:
Strategically located near several primary shipping lanes in the central South China Sea; includes numerous small islands, atolls, shoals, and coral reefs |
