Sansha, Administrative division in Hainan, China.
Sansha is a prefecture-level city in Hainan that administers multiple island groups scattered across the South China Sea. The territory consists of two main island complexes with an administrative center located on Woody Island.
Sansha was established as a prefecture-level city in 2012, consolidating administrative control over the island territories. This formation brought together scattered island areas under unified governance.
Residents of Sansha maintain strong maritime traditions rooted in fishing and seafaring that shape daily routines across the scattered islands. These practices remain central to how communities operate and interact with their surroundings today.
Travel between the islands relies on regular marine transport services operating from the main administrative center. Visitors should plan for maritime journeys and prepare for limited transportation options across the territory.
Sansha administers more than two million square kilometers of maritime territory, making it China's largest prefecture-level city by total area. This vast sea coverage contrasts sharply with the small land areas where people actually live.
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