SPRATLY
ISLANDS – GEOGRAPHY
News:
How Should the U.S.
Respond to China’s Brazen Pursuit of Spratly Islands Claim?
What's
in the news?
● In
recent weeks, the People’s Republic of China (PRC) has dispatched ships and
other maritime forces to the disputed Spratly islands near the Philippines.
● The
Spratly Islands consist of more than 100 small islands or reefs in the South China Sea.
● They
are located north of insular Malaysia
and are roughly midway between Vietnam
and the Philippines.
Claims:
● They
are claimed in their entirety by China,
Taiwan, and Vietnam, while portions are claimed by Malaysia and the
Philippines.
● Although
Brunei did not claim any territory in the Spratly, it claims an exclusive
economic zone over this area that contained a Spratly reef.
Climate: Tropical
climate
Key
takeaways:
● A
great number of islands are submerged.
● Of
the 12main naturally occurring islets, the largest is the 90-acre (36-hectare)
Itu Aba.
● Another,
called Spratly Island or Storm Island, measures 900 by 1,500 feet (275 by 450
metres).
● Turtles
and seabirds are the only wildlife in these islands. There is no permanent
human habitation.