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:
Southeast Asia
Area:
total: 5 sq km
less than
[see also: Area - total country ranks ]
land: 5 sq km
less than
[see also: Area - land country ranks ]
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 (158,000 sq mi) of the central South China Sea
country comparison to the world (CIA rank, may be based on non-current data):
251
Area - comparative:
land area is about seven times the size of the National Mall in Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
926 km
[see also: Coastline country ranks ]
Climate:
tropical
Terrain:
small, flat islands, islets, cays, and reefs
Elevation:
lowest point:
South China Sea 0 m
highest point:
unnamed location on Southwest Cay 6 m
Natural resources:
fish, guano, undetermined oil and natural gas potential
Land use:
agricultural land: 0%
(2011 est.)
[see also: Land use - agricultural land country ranks ]
arable land: 0%
(2011 est.)
[see also: Land use - arable land country ranks ]
permanent crops: 0%
(2011 est.)
[see also: Land use - permanent crops country ranks ]
permanent pasture: 0%
(2011 est.)
[see also: Land use - permanent pasture country ranks ]
forest: 0%
(2011 est.)
[see also: Land use - forest country ranks ]
other: 100%
(2011 est.)
[see also: Land use country ranks ]
Natural hazards:
typhoons; numerous reefs and shoals pose a serious maritime hazard
Environment - current issues:
China's use of dredged sand and coral to build artificial islands harms reef systems; illegal fishing practices indiscriminately harvest endangered species, including sea turtles and giant clams
Geography - note:
strategically located near several primary shipping lanes in the central South China Sea; includes numerous small islands, atolls, shoals, and coral reefs
