Map of Spratly Islands | Geography | People | Government | Economy | Energy | Communication
Military | Transportation | Transnational Issues | Year: Guide1989199019911992199319941995199619971998199920002001200220032004200520062007200820092010201120122013201420152016201720182019202020212022202320242025 | More stats

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Background: Rich fishing grounds and the potential for gas and oil deposits have caused this archipelago to be claimed in its entirety by China Taiwan and Vietnam while portions are claimed by Malaysia and the Philippines. All five parties have occupied certain islands or reefs and occasional clashes have occurred between Chinese and Vietnamese naval forces


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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 reference: Southeast Asia

Area
Comparative: NA

Land boundaries: 0 km

Coastline: 926 km

Maritime claims: NA

Climate: tropical

Terrain: flat

Elevation

Natural resources: fish guano undetermined oil and natural gas potential

Land use

Irrigated land: 0 km² (1993)

Major rivers

Major watersheds area km²

Total water withdrawal

Total renewable water resources

Natural hazards: typhoons; serious maritime hazard because of numerous reefs and shoals

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


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Population: no indigenous inhabitants

Nationality

Ethnic groups

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Religions

Demographic profile

Age structure

Dependency ratios

Median age

Population growth rate

Birth rate

Death rate

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Population distribution

Urbanization

Major urban areas

Environment
Current issues: NA

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Hospital bed density

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Hiv/Aids

Major infectious diseases

Obesity adult prevalence rate

Alcohol consumption

Tobacco use

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

Education expenditures

Literacy

School life expectancy primary to tertiary education

Youth unemployment


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Country name

Government type

Capital

Administrative divisions

Dependent areas

Independence

National holiday

Constitution

Legal system

International law organization participation

Citizenship

Suffrage

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Political parties and leaders

International organization participation

Diplomatic representation

Flag description

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National anthem

National heritage


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Economy overview: Economic activity is limited to commercial fishing. The proximity to nearby oil- and gas-producing sedimentary basins suggests the potential for oil and gas deposits but the region is largely unexplored and there are no reliable estimates of potential reserves; commercial exploitation has yet to be developed.

Real gdp purchasing power parity

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Real gdp per capita

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Gdp composition by end use

Gdp composition by sector of origin

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Taxes and other revenues

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Commercial bank prime lending rate

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Exports

Imports

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

Debt external

Stock of direct foreign investment at home

Stock of direct foreign investment abroad

Exchange rates


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Electricity

Coal

Petroleum

Crude oil

Refined petroleum

Natural gas

Carbon dioxide emissions

Energy consumption per capita


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Telephones

Telephone system

Broadcast media

Internet

Broadband fixed subscriptions


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Military expenditures

Military and security forces

Military service age and obligation

Space program

Terrorist groups


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National air transport system

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

Airports: 4 (1999 est.)

Heliports

Pipelines

Railways

Roadways

Waterways

Merchant marine

Ports and terminals


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Disputes international: all of the Spratly Islands are claimed by China Taiwan and Vietnam; parts of them are claimed by Malaysia and the Philippines; in 1984 Brunei established an exclusive fishing zone which encompasses Louisa Reef in the southern Spratly Islands but has not publicly claimed the island

Refugees and internally displaced persons

Illicit drugs