_#_Coastline: 926 km

_#_Maritime claims: undetermined

_#_Disputes: China, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam claim all or part of the Spratly Islands

_#_Climate: tropical

_#_Terrain: flat

_#_Natural resources: fish, guano; oil and natural gas potential

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

_#_Environment: subject to typhoons; includes numerous small islands, atolls, shoals, and coral reefs

_#_Note: strategically located near several primary shipping lanes in the central South China Sea; serious navigational hazard

_*People #_Population: no permanent inhabitants; garrisons