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:* less than 5 sq km
*note:* includes 100 or so islets, coral reefs, and sea mounts scattered
over an area of nearly 410,000 sq km of the central South China Sea
*water:* 0 sq km
*land:* less than 5 sq km
Elevation extremes: :
*lowest point:* South China Sea 0 m
*highest point:* unnamed location on Southwest Cay 4 m
Natural resources: :
fish, guano, undetermined oil and natural gas potential
Land use: :
*arable land:* 0%
*permanent crops:* 0%
*other:* 100% (1998 est.)
Irrigated land: :
0 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards: :
typhoons; serious maritime hazard because of numerous reefs and shoals
Environment - current issues: :
NA
Geography - note: :
strategically located near several primary shipping lanes in the central
South China Sea; includes numerous small islands, atolls, shoals, and coral
reefs
