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Paracel Islands facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

The Paracel Islands are a group of small islands, atolls, and reefs in the South China Sea. They are mostly uninhabited, meaning no people live there permanently. These islands are about 330 kilometers (205 miles) from Hainan, a large island of China, and about 400 kilometers (249 miles) from Vietnam.

Quick facts for kids
Paracel Islands
Disputed islands
ParacelIslands.png
Paracel Islands
Geography
Location South China Sea
Coordinates 16°30′N 112°00′E / 16.500°N 112.000°E / 16.500; 112.000
Total islands >30
Major islands Rocky Island, Tree Island, Woody Island
Area 15,000 km² (ocean surface)
Coastline 518 kilometres (322 mi)
Highest point on Rocky Island
14 metres (46 ft)
Administered by
 People's Republic of China
Province Hainan
Claimed by
 Viet Nam
Prefecture-level city Da Nang
 Republic of China
Municipality Kaohsiung
Paracel Islands
Xisha.png
Chinese name
Traditional Chinese 西沙群島
Simplified Chinese 西沙群岛
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu Pinyin Xīshā Qúndǎo
Yue: Cantonese
Jyutping sai1saa1 kwan4dou2
Vietnamese name
Vietnamese Quần đảo Hoàng Sa
Hán-Nôm 群島黃沙
Spratly & Paracel Islands
The location of the Paracel and Spratly Islands in the South China Sea.

Currently, the People's Republic of China controls the Paracel Islands. However, Taiwan and Vietnam also say these islands belong to them. This makes the Paracel Islands a "disputed territory."

Exploring the Paracel Islands

The Paracel Islands are in the South China Sea. They are made up of more than 30 small islands, sandbanks, and reefs. The total area of the ocean surface around them is about 15,000 square kilometers (5,792 square miles).

The islands are roughly the same distance from the coasts of Vietnam and China. They are about 180 nautical miles (333 kilometers) southeast of Hainan Island. They are also about one-third of the way from central Vietnam to the northern Philippines.

Wildlife and Nature

Even though people don't live there permanently, the islands are home to turtles. Many seabirds also visit the islands to build their nests. Over time, these birds have left behind large amounts of guano, which is bird droppings. Guano is often used as a fertilizer.

Island Groups and Climate

The Paracel Islands are divided into two main groups. The Amphitrite group is in the northeast, and the Crescent group is in the southwest. These two groups are about 70 kilometers (43 miles) apart.

The climate on the islands is hot and humid. They get a lot of rain and often experience strong storms called typhoons. The waters around the islands are rich with fish, making them good fishing grounds. There might also be oil and gas reserves under the sea near the islands.

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See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Islas Paracel para niños

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Paracel Islands Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.