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The Pratas Islands or '''Dong-Sha Islands''' (東沙羣島) consists of three islands located in northeastern South China Sea , 340 km southeast of Hong Kong. HISTORY First called ''Moon Island'', Pratas Islands was first acknowledged as Chinese territory during the Chin and Han dynasties. Further development was under taken during the Ming Era . A Japanese businessman named Nishizawa Yoshizi occupied Pratas Island during World War II and remained under Japanese control until 1946 . It has historically been uninhabited, and nations like China and Japan claimed it to be their overseas territory. After World War II , the islands and the sea area around it were mandated by United Nations . In the Journal of Science April 1867 there is a nine page article entitled ''THE NATURAL HISTORY OF PRATAS ISLAND IN THE CHINA SEA'' by Dr. Cuthbert Collingwood, Naturalist on board H.M.S. 'Serpent'. It describes what was observed, especially bird life, during a visit of two days whilst the Surveying Ship lay at anchor. More information on this item may be obtained by reference to Malcolm Sealy at mallarray@aapt.net.au who holds a copy of this relevant journal. Today they are administered by the 817. The People's Republic Of China claims the islands as part of its Guangdong Province . GEOGRAPHY Pratas is located 850km southwest of Taipei and 340km southeast of Hong Kong in the northern part of the South China Sea or the Pratas Terrace (). The island is 2.8 km long and 0.865 km wide. The island is made up of coral attolls and reef flats. Only Pratas Island is above sea level, Northern Vereker and Southern Vereker attolls are under water. Brush, vines and bushes cover some of Pratas and rest is white sand. Other flora and fauna on Pratas:
The island is shaped like a ring and consists of three major entities in the area:
There are also some Seamount formations nearby, but not part of the main island:
SETTLEMENTS As a disputed island, there are no inhabitants on the island and are only visited by the military personnel or researchers. A runway is located on the north end of Pratas Island with a small airport terminal at the eastern end. The airport is used by the Taiwanese military. A main shack and sub shack are located in the southeast end of the island. Two piers in the southeast shore allows for small watercraft to land. The other structure on the island include:
GOVERNMENT Although there are no long term inhabitants on the island, Taiping is administered under the Central Municipality of Kaohsiung City. SEE ALSO EXTERNAL LINKS
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