South China Sea Islands
South China Sea Islands
The South China Sea is home to three territories, which all experience tropical weather conditions. Macao, which is a territory of Portugal, is located at the opening of the Pearl River. Macao is a major exporter of finished goods, including trinkets and toys. The Parcel Islands are located about 250 miles to the east of Vietnam and are occupied by the Chinese. The Paracel Islands experience frequent typhoons. Also located in the South China Sea are the Spratly Islands, made up of reefs and atolls. China, Taiwan, Vietnam, Brunei, Malaysia, and the Philippines each claim all or portions of these islands. The islands are very desirable because of their close proximity to shipping lanes, and they are believed to hold some of the biggest oil and gas deposits in the world.
Macao
At a Glance
Official Name: Macao
Area: 8 sq. mi. (21 sq. km)
Population: 453,733
Unit of money: pataca
Major Languages: Portuguese
Government: special administrative region of China
Paracel Islands
Uninhabited territory of China, also claimed by Taiwan and Vietnam
At a Glance
Official Name: Paracel Islands
Area: N/A
Spratly Islands
Uninhabited territory that is partially claimed by China, Malaysia, Phillipines, Taiwan and Vietnam
At a Glance
Official Name: Spratly Islands
Area: 2 sq. mi. (5 sq. km)
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South China Sea Islands