Spratly Islands
A cay in the Spratly group. Source: NASA
Published: January 14, 2012, 12:00 am
Updated: January 14, 2012, 1:11 pm
This article has been reviewed by the following Topic Editor:
Peter Saundry
The Spratly Islands consist of more than 100 small islands or reefs scattered over an area of nearly 410,000 sq km in the South China Sea, about two-thirds of the way from southern Vietnam to the southern Philippines.
They are surrounded by rich fishing grounds and potentially by gas and oil deposits. (See Energy profile of South China Sea)
They are strategically located near several primary shipping lanes in the central South China Sea.
There are no indigenous inhabitants. But there are scattered garrisons occupied by military personnel of several claimant states.
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.
Claimants in November 2002 signed the "Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea," which has eased tensions but falls short of a legally binding "code of conduct"; in March 2005, the national oil companies of China, the Philippines, and Vietnam signed a joint accord to conduct marine seismic activities in the Spratly Islands
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.
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
Area: less than 5 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
Terrain: flat. The highest point is an unnamed location on Southwest Cay (4 m).
Climate: tropical
Natural Resources: fish, guano, undetermined oil and natural gas potential
See: South China Sea large marine ecosystem
See: South China Sea Islands
Spratly and Paracel Islands. Source: NASA World Wind/Wikimedia Commons
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Citation
Central Intelligence Agency (Lead Author);CIA World Factbook (Content Source);Peter Saundry (Topic Editor) "Spratly Islands". In: Encyclopedia of Earth. Eds. Cutler J. Cleveland (Washington, D.C.: Environmental Information Coalition, National Council for Science and the Environment). [First published in the Encyclopedia of Earth January 14, 2012; Last revised Date January 14, 2012; Retrieved June 19, 2013 <http://www.eoearth.org/article/Spratly_Islands>
The Author
The Central Intelligence Agency was created in 1947 with the signing of the National Security Act by President Harry S. Truman. The act also created a Director of Central Intelligence (DCI) to serve as head of the United States intelligence community; act as the principal adviser to the President for intelligence matters related to the national security; and serve as head of the Central Intelligence Agency. The Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 amended the National Securit ... (Full Bio)
The Spratly Islands consist of more than 100 small islands or reefs scattered over an area of nearly 410,000 sq km in the South China Sea, about two-thirds of the way from southern Vietnam to the southern Philippines.
They are surrounded by rich fishing grounds and potentially by gas and oil deposits. (See Energy profile of South China Sea)
They are strategically located near several primary shipping lanes in the central South China Sea.
There are no indigenous inhabitants. But there are scattered garrisons occupied by military personnel of several claimant states.
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.
Claimants in November 2002 signed the "Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea," which has eased tensions but falls short of a legally binding "code of conduct"; in March 2005, the national oil companies of China, the Philippines, and Vietnam signed a joint accord to conduct marine seismic activities in the Spratly Islands
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.
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
Area: less than 5 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
Terrain: flat. The highest point is an unnamed location on Southwest Cay (4 m).
Climate: tropical
Natural Resources: fish, guano, undetermined oil and natural gas potential
See: South China Sea large marine ecosystem
See: South China Sea Islands
Spratly and Paracel Islands. Source: NASA World Wind/Wikimedia Commons
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