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

Land boundaries: none

Coastline: 926 km

Maritime claims: undetermined

Climate: tropical

Terrain: flat

Natural resources: fish, guano; oil and natural gas potential

Land use: 0% arable land; 0% permanent crops; 0% meadows and pastures; 0% forest and woodland; 100% other

Geography
Note: approximately 50 small islands or reefs are occupied by China, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam

Population: no permanent inhabitants; garrisons

Environment
Current issues: subject to typhoons; includes numerous small islands, atolls, shoals, and coral reefs

Country name: conventional long form: none

Economy overview: Economic activity is limited to commercial fishing and phosphate mining. Geological surveys carried out several years ago suggest that substantial reserves of oil and natural gas may lie beneath the islands; commercial exploitation has yet to be developed.

Industries: some guano mining

Airports: 3 total, 2 usable; none with runways over 2,439 m; 1 with runways 1,220-2,439 m

Disputes international: China, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam claim all or part of the Spratly Islands