Paracel Islands

High school (ages 12+)
Geography

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Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/paracel-islands

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. How big is Paracel Islands?Approximately 7.75 square kilometers
2. What is the location?South China Sea, approximately 350 km southeast of Hainan Island, China
3. What is the controlling power?People's Republic of China
4. Why are the Paracel Islands important?They sit near major shipping lanes and have very rich fishing waters. The area may also hold oil and natural gas, and it is a home for many sea turtles and seabirds.
5. How do the Paracel Islands get their name?The name "Paracel" comes from Portuguese maps made in the 16th century. The islands are also called Xisha or Hoàng Sa.

Archipelago: A group of islands forming an island chain or cluster, often of volcanic or coral origin.
Geopolitical: Relating to politics, especially international relations, as influenced by geographical factors.
Sovereignty: Supreme power or authority; the authority of a state to govern itself or another state.
Maritime Disputes: Disagreements between countries over the control and use of sea areas and their resources.