Pratas Islands, Coral archipelago in South China Sea, Taiwan
Description
The Pratas Islands form a coral archipelago in the South China Sea near Taiwan. The main atoll creates a horseshoe-shaped structure with three offshore jetties and a central lagoon.
History
British seafarers reached the atoll in the 17th century and named it after the Portuguese word for silver. Chinese administration began establishing facilities on the main island in the early 20th century.
Culture
The name Dongsha means "eastern sandbanks" and describes the position of the island group in the waters of the South China Sea. Fishermen from the region have used the anchorages as a stopover during longer voyages for generations.
Practical
Visitors need special permission from Taiwanese authorities to travel here. The airstrip serves mainly military purposes and occasional supply flights.
Did you know?
An underground tunnel system connects military installations across the entire island. The structures were built over several decades and remain largely invisible to outsiders.
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Dongsha Atoll National Park
3.3 km
Yuanshan Temple
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249.4 km東沙潟湖口沈船
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249.5 kmAbandoned 100kW Oscillating Water Column Wave Power Station
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249.3 km金厢滩
264.9 km南海观世音菩萨
249.4 km西南外環-海豚
7.8 km“天后圣母”石刻
269.5 km“凤山祖庙旅游区”石刻
269.4 km入党誓词
269.4 kmStatue, Work of art
209 mGraffiti, Work of art
253.5 km南海明珠
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592 m南海屏障碑
636 m汕尾八景-有凤来仪
269.5 kmDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
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