Natural hazards: typhoons; serious maritime hazard because of numerous reefs and shoals
Environment—current issues: NA
Environment—international agreements:
party to: none of the selected agreements
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography—note: strategically located near several primary
shipping lanes in the central South China Sea; includes numerous
small islands, atolls, shoals, and coral reefs
People
Population: no indigenous inhabitants note: there are scattered garrisons occupied by personnel of several claimant states
Government
Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Spratly Islands
Data code: PG
Economy