PARACEL ISLANDS 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: arable land 0%; permanent crops 0%; meadows and pastures 0%; forest and woodland 0%; other 100% 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: small Chinese port facilities on Woody Island and Duncan Island currently under expansion Airports: 1 on Woody Island DEFENSE FORCES Note: occupied by China