Paracel Islands
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e6/World_Factbook_%281990%29_Paracel_Islands.jpg/300px-World_Factbook_%281990%29_Paracel_Islands.jpg)
See regional map IX
Geography
Total area: undetermined
Comparative area: undetermined
Land boundaries: none
Coastline: 518 km
Maritime claims: undetermined
Disputes: occupied by China, but claimed by Taiwan and Vietnam
Climate: tropical
Terrain: undetermined
Natural resources: none
Land use: 0% arable land; 0% permanent crops; 0% meadows and pastures; 0% forest and woodland; 100% other
Environment: subject to typhoons
Note: located 400 km east of Vietnam in the South China Sea about one-third of the way between Vietnam and the Philippines
People
Population: no permanent inhabitants
Government
Long-form name: none
Economy
Overview: no economic activity
Communications
Ports: none; offshore anchorage only
Defense Forces
Note: occupied by China