SPRATLY ISLANDS GEOGRAPHY Total area: less than 5 km2; land area: less than 5 km2; includes 100 or so islets, coral reefs, and sea mounts scattered over the South China Sea Comparative area: undetermined Land boundaries: none 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 GOVERNMENT Long-form name: none ECONOMY Overview: Economic activity is limited to commercial fishing and phosphate mining. Geological surveys carried out several years ago suggest that substantial reserves of oil and natural gas may lie beneath the islands; commercial exploitation has yet to be developed. Industries: some guano mining COMMUNICATIONS Airports: 3 total, 2 usable; none with runways over 2,439 m; 1 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Ports: no natural harbors DEFENSE FORCES Note: approximately 50 small islands or reefs are occupied by China, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam