Spratly Islands

High school (ages 12+)
Geography

Name:

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/spratly-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. What is the location?South China Sea, strategically positioned near major shipping lanes
2. What is the number of occupied features?Approximately 45 islands, cays, reefs, and shoals
3. What are the Spratly Islands and why are they so small?The Spratly Islands are a group of tiny islands, islets, and reefs in the South China Sea. Together they cover less than 200 hectares, so many are barely above sea level and some only show up at low tide.
4. Why do so many countries want control over the Spratly Islands?They are in busy shipping lanes, so controlling them helps manage maritime traffic. The waters are rich in fish and may have oil and gas, making them valuable for trade and energy.

Archipelago: A collection of islands, often geographically related, forming a distinct unit.
Islets and Cays: Small, low-lying islands or rocky outcrops, often formed by coral or sand deposition.
Submerged Atolls: Ring-shaped coral reefs that encircle a lagoon, with parts of the reef structure lying below sea level.
Geopolitical Nexus: A central point or hub where various political and geographical factors intersect, creating strategic importance and potential conflict.