Paracel Islands
Introduction Geography People Government Economy Communications Transportation Military Transnational Issues
Introduction	Back To Top
Background: 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 the Paracel Islands since 1974, when its troops seized a South Vietnamese garrison occupying the western islands. China built a military installation on Mischief Reef in 1999. The islands are claimed by Taiwan and Vietnam.
Geography	Back To Top
Land boundaries: 0 km Climate: tropical Map references: Southeast Asia Geographic coordinates: 16 30 N, 112 00 E Natural resources: none Elevation extremes: lowest point: South China Sea 0 m highest point: unnamed location on Rocky Island 14 m Terrain: mostly low and flat Geography - note: composed of 130 small coral islands and reefs divided into the northeast Amphitrite Group and the western Crescent Group Area: total: NA sq km land: NA sq km water: 0 sq km Location: 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 Coastline: 518 km Area - comparative: NA Irrigated land: 0 sq km Environment - current issues: NA Maritime claims: NA Natural hazards: typhoons Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (2005)
People	Back To Top
Population: no indigenous inhabitants note: there are scattered Chinese garrisons
Government	Back To Top
Country name (Goverment): conventional long form: none conventional short form: Paracel Islands
Economy	Back To Top
Economy - overview: China announced plans in 1997 to open the islands for tourism.
Communications	Back To Top
Transportation	Back To Top
Ports and terminals: small Chinese port facilities on Woody Island and Duncan Island being expanded Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2007) Airports: 1 (2007)
Military	Back To Top
Military - note: occupied by China
Transnational Issues	Back To Top
Disputes - international: occupied by China, also claimed by Taiwan and Vietnam

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