page_title: Pratas Islands
hierarchical_section_title: Pratas Islands
caption_attribution_description: English: Monument of South China Sea erected by Ministry of the Interior, Republic of China.中文（台灣）‎: 中華民國內政部在東沙島設立的「南海屏障」紀念碑。中文（简体）‎: 中华民国内政部在东沙岛设立的“南海屏障”纪念碑。
context_page_description: The Pratas Islands, also known as the Tungsha Islands or Dongsha Islands, are three atolls in the north of the South China Sea administered as part of Cijin District, Kaohsiung, Republic of China. They consist of one island, two coral reefs and two banks, and are located about 170 nautical miles southeast of Hong Kong. In 2007, the Dongsha Atoll National Park was established in the islands. The People's Republic of China claims them as part of Guangdong Province.
  Pratas Island is the only island and area above sea level. It has an area of about 240 hectares, including 64 hectares of lagoon, and is the largest of the South China Sea Islands. It is the location of the Dongsha Airport.
  The Pratas atoll is circular, with Pratas Island at the west of the atoll, and two large submerged coral reefs around the edge of most of the rest of the atoll.
  The North Vereker Bank and South Vereker Bank are adjacent to each other about 40 nautical miles to the northwest of the Pratas atoll at 21°N 116°E.
  North Vereker Bank rises to 11 metres below sea level, and South Vereker Bank to 57 metres below sea level. There are numerous oil wells to the west of the banks.
context_section_description: The Pratas Islands (Chinese: 東沙群島; pinyin: Dōngshā Qúndǎo; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Tang-soa Kûn-tó), also known as the Tungsha Islands or Dongsha Islands, are three atolls (Pratas Atoll, North Vereker Atoll and South Vereker Atoll) in the north of the South China Sea administered as part of Cijin District (Qijin), Kaohsiung, Republic of China (Taiwan). They consist of one island, two coral reefs and two banks, and are located about 170 nautical miles (310 km; 200 mi) southeast of Hong Kong. In 2007, the Dongsha Atoll National Park was established in the islands. The People's Republic of China claims them as part of Guangdong Province.
  Pratas Island is the only island and area above sea level. It has an area of about 240 hectares (590 acres), including 64 hectares (160 acres) of lagoon, and is the largest of the South China Sea Islands. It is the location of the Dongsha Airport.
  The Pratas atoll is circular, with Pratas Island at the west of the atoll, and two large submerged coral reefs around the edge of most of the rest of the atoll.
  The North Vereker Bank and South Vereker Bank are adjacent to each other about 40 nautical miles (74 km; 46 mi) to the northwest of the Pratas atoll at 21°N 116°E.
  North Vereker Bank rises to 11 metres (36 ft) below sea level, and South Vereker Bank to 57 metres (187 ft) below sea level. There are numerous oil wells to the west of the banks.
caption: Stele erected on Pratas Island by the ROC Ministry of the Interior
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