note: there are scattered garrisons occupied by personnel of several claimant states (July 2001 est.)
Elevation:
highest point: unnamed location on Southwest Cay 4 m
lowest point: South China Sea 0 m
Natural hazards:
typhoons; serious maritime hazard because of numerous reefs and shoals
Climate:
tropical
Economy:
Economic activity is limited to commercial fishing. The proximity to nearby oil- and gas-producing sedimentary basins suggests the potential for oil and gas deposits, but the region is largely unexplored, and there are no reliable estimates of potential reserves; commercial exploitation has yet to be developed.
