Spratly Islands

The Spratly Islands are a group of islands, islets, cays, and reefs in the South China Sea. They are close to the coasts of the Philippines, Malaysia, and Vietnam. The islands are named after a British whaling captain, Richard Spratly, who saw one of the islands in 1843.

These islands are important because they are in a key area for shipping and might have oil and gas. Many countries, including Malaysia, China, Taiwan, the Philippines, and Vietnam, have built structures there and claim parts of the islands. Brunei also claims an area around some of the islands.

The Spratly Islands are mostly uninhabited, but they offer good fishing areas. Because of their location and possible resources, they are a point of disagreement among the countries that surround them.

Geographic and economic overview

Further information: List of maritime features in the Spratly Islands

In 1939, the Spratly Islands were small sandy islands mostly home to birds. They naturally have 19 islands, but some counts say there are 14 islands or small bits of land, along with many hidden reefs and underwater areas.

All the islands are made from sand built up on old sunken coral reefs. The northeast part, called Dangerous Ground, has many low islands and hidden reefs that suddenly rise from very deep water, making it tricky for ships to sail through.

The Spratly Islands have almost no soil for farming, very few people living there, and almost no fresh water. Their natural resources include fish, bird waste, oil, and natural gas. People use the islands for fishing, shipping, collecting bird waste, getting oil and gas, and more recently, tourism. The islands sit close to busy shipping routes.

The islands, listed from largest to smallest by natural size, are shown below.

The total natural land area of the Spratly Islands is about 177 hectares (440 acres), and with added land, it is about 200 hectares (490 acres).

The Spratly Islands are sometimes also called the Paracels.

Geology

The Spratly Islands are made up of islands, reefs, banks, and shallow areas formed from a special kind of rock called biogenic carbonate. These rocks sit on top of underwater mountain ridges, shaped by movements in the Earth’s crust. Over millions of years, the movement of these underground rocks created the islands we see today. Later, sea creatures like corals added to these structures, building up the reefs and small islands.

Geological studies suggest that some areas around the Spratly Islands might hold important oil and gas resources, though these are found deep under the sea.

Ecology

The Spratly Islands have sandy beaches made from sand and pebbles that move with the wind. Some islands have fresh water from rain, and parts of the islands have important bird droppings called guano.

Coral reefs are very common around these islands, with over 600 reefs in the area. Sadly, some reefs have been changed by humans for other uses.

Only a few plants grow on the islands because of strong winds. Larger islands can support small forests, bushes, and grasses. Some islands have coconut trees, mangroves, and even pineapples, papayas, bananas, palms, and peaches. A few islands have been made into small tourist spots with soil and trees brought in.

The Spratly Sea is home to many sea creatures, including over 2,900 different types of marine life such as fish, algae, seabirds, and sea turtles. The islands provide important places for seabirds to rest and nest, and for sea turtles to lay eggs. However, human activities and pollution have harmed these plants and animals. Some groups have suggested protecting parts of these islands to help preserve their unique ecosystems.

History

The earliest signs of people living near the Spratly Islands come from findings in the Tabon Caves on Palawan in the Philippine islands, dating back almost 50,000 years. By 2,000 BC, early sea-faring people from the Philippines and Taiwan created a big trade network in the sea. This network grew to include places now known as Brunei, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Cambodia, and Vietnam.

The islands were named after British whaler Richard Spratly, who saw them in 1843. Today, the Spratly Islands have very little natural land, spread out over a large area of the South China Sea. Many countries, including the Philippines, Malaysia, and Vietnam, have shown interest in these islands over time.

Different maps and records from old China, Vietnam, and Europe mention the islands, often with different names. Over the years, various nations have visited, claimed, or built structures on the islands. During World War II, Japan controlled them. After the war, different countries continued to make claims, leading to ongoing discussions about who owns the islands.

Transportation and communication

Airports

See also: List of airports in the Spratly Islands

Telecommunications

In 2005, the Philippines' Smart Communications built a cell phone tower on Pag-asa Island.

In 2007, Viettel from Vietnam started mobile service in the Spratly Islands.

On May 18, 2011, China Mobile said it had extended its mobile coverage to the Spratly Islands. This helps soldiers, fishermen, and ships use phones and get help during bad weather or sea rescues. It took almost a year to set up.

In 2013, Chunghwa Telecom from Taiwan placed a satellite cell tower on Taiping Island.