Spratly Islands Geography - 2024

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

land: 5 sq km less than

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

Area - comparative

land area is about seven times the size of the National Mall in Washington, DC

Land boundaries

total: 0 km

Coastline

926 km

Maritime claims

N/A

Climate

tropical

Terrain

small, flat islands, islets, cays, and reefs

Elevation

highest point: unnamed location on Southwest Cay 6 m

lowest point: South China Sea 0 m

Natural resources

fish, guano, undetermined oil and natural gas potential

Land use

other: 100% (2018 est.)

Natural hazards

typhoons; numerous reefs and shoals pose a serious maritime hazard

Geography - note

strategically located near several primary shipping lanes in the central South China Sea; includes numerous small islands, atolls, shoals, and coral reefs