World Factbook 2000 [D]
by the CIA
PARACEL ISLANDS
Paracel Islands: Geography
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
Geographic coordinates: 16 30 N, 112 00 E
Map references: Southeast Asia
Area: total: NA sq km land: NA sq km water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative: NA
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 518 km
Maritime claims: NA
Climate: tropical
Terrain: NA
Elevation extremes: lowest point: South China Sea 0 m highest point: unnamed location on Rocky Island 14 m
Natural resources: none
Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 0% forests and woodland: 0% other: 100%
Irrigated land: 0 sq km (1993)
Natural hazards: typhoons
Environment - current issues: NA
Paracel Islands: People
Population: no indigenous inhabitants note: there are scattered Chinese garrisons (July 2000 est.)
Paracel Islands: Government
Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Paracel Islands
Data code: PF
Paracel Islands: Economy
Economy - overview: China announced plans in 1997 to open the islands for tourism.
Paracel Islands: Transportation
Ports and harbors: small Chinese port facilities on Woody Island and Duncan Island being expanded
Airports: 1 (1999 est.)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (1999 est.)
Paracel Islands: Military
Military - note: occupied by China
Paracel Islands: Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: occupied by China, but claimed by Taiwan and Vietnam
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