Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Map marking of Paracel Islands
Mains level: South China Sea Row
A United States warship sailed through the Paracel Islands in the disputed South China Sea.
Paracel Islands
- The Paracel Islands, also known as the Xisha Islands are a disputed archipelago in the South China Sea.
- The archipelago includes about 130 small coral islands and reefs, most grouped into the northeast Amphitrite Group or the western Crescent Group.
- They are distributed over a maritime area of around 15,000 square kilometers with a land area of approximately 7.75 square kilometers.
- The archipelago includes Dragon Hole, the deepest underwater sinkhole in the world.
- It is surrounded by productive fishing grounds and a seabed with potential, but as yet unexplored, oil and gas reserves.
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