dinates:
16 30 N, 112 00 E

Map references:
Southeast Asia

Area:
total: NA sq km
land: NA sq km
water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative:
NA

Land boundaries:
0 km

Coastline:
518 km

Maritime claims:
NA

Climate:
tropical

Terrain:
mostly low and flat

Elevation extremes:
lowest point: South China Sea 0 m
highest point: unnamed location on Rocky Island 14 m

Natural resources:
none

Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 100% (2005)

Irrigated land:
0 sq km

Natural hazards:
typhoons

Environment - current issues:
NA

Geography - note:
composed of 130 small coral islands and reefs divided into the
northeast Amphitrite Group and the western Crescent Group

People Paracel Islands

Population:
no indigenous inhabitants
note: there are scattered Chinese garrisons

Government Paracel Islands

Country name:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Paracel Islands

Economy Paracel Islands

Economy - overview:
China announced plans in 1997 to open the islands for tourism.

Transportation Paracel Islands

Airports:
1 (2006)

Airports - with paved runways:
total: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2006)

Ports and terminals:
small Chinese port facilities on Woody Island and Duncan Island
being expanded

Military Paracel Islands

Military - note:
occupied by China

Transnational Issues Paracel Islands

Disputes - international:
occupied by China, also claimed by Taiwan and Vietnam

This page was last updated on 8 February, 2007

======================================================================

@Paraguay

Introduction Paraguay

Background:
In the disastrous War of the Triple Alliance (1865-70), Paraguay
lost two-thirds of all adult males and much of its territory. It
stagnated economically for the next half century. In the Chaco War
of 1932-35, large, economically important areas were won from
Bolivia. The 35-year military dictatorship of Alfredo STROESSNER was
overthrown in 1989, and, despite a marked increase in political
infighting in recent years, relatively free and regular presidential
elections have been held since then.

Geography Paraguay

Location:
Central South America, northeast of Argentina

Geographic coordinates:
23 00 S, 58 00 W

Map references:
South America

Area:
total: 406,750 sq km