Overview
The Spratly Islands consist of more than 100 small islands or reefs surrounded by rich fishing grounds -- and potentially by gas and oil deposits. China, Taiwan, and Vietnam all claim the islands in their entirety, while portions are claimed by Malaysia and the Philippines. Around 70 disputed islets and reefs in the Spratly Islands are occupied by 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
- 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
- Total Area
- 5 sq km less than
- Climate
- tropical
- Terrain
- small, flat islands, islets, cays, and reefs
- Natural Resources
- fish, guano, undetermined oil and natural gas potential
- Coastline
- 926 km
- Land Borders
- 0 km
People & Society
- Population
- no permanent inhabitants