Data: CIA World Factbook (public domain). Preserved and rebuilt by PRIA Technologies.

East N Southeast Asia • GEC-PF

Paracel Islands

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Population

2,230 (2024 est.)

GDP

N/A

Area

8 sq km ca.

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Introduction

Background

The Paracel Islands are surrounded by productive fishing grounds and potential oil and gas reserves. In 1932, French Indochina annexed the islands and set up a weather station on Pattle Island. China has occupied all the Paracel Islands since 1974, when its troops seized a South Vietnamese garrison occupying the western islands. China has built a military installation on Woody Island with an airfield and artificial harbor, and it has scattered garrisons on some of the other islands. Taiwan and Vietnam also claim the Paracel Islands.