| The South China Sea, or Nan Hai, is part of the Pacific Ocean which is defined by the Chinese Mainland, Vietnam, Malay Peninsula, Taiwan, the Philippines, and Borneo. It covers about 1,423,000 square miles and has an average depth of 3,478 feet. Of all of the marginal seas in the western Pacific Ocean, the South China Sea is the largest. Like most other seas in the area, its weather consists mostly of monsoons and summer typhoons.
The monsoons also control the currents of the sea and the movement of water between the seas in the western Pacific. Tributaries of the Pearl River's south delta, such as the Hsi and Red River drain into the South China Sea. The life it houses is a major source of local food and is heavily fished for species such as tuna, anchovy, and shrimp. Most of the animal protein in the diets of people in Southeast Asia comes from the sea. Some of the world's most important shipping paths traverse the South China Sea. Large oil and natural gas reserves are on the floor of the sea.
Although the sea has been traveled for centuries, it was hazardous to travel it because it was patrolled by pirates and still is to this day. A number of different countries in the area lay claim to the sea, most notably China. Due to its proximity to so many countries, none of the sea falls in international waters and so it is between them to resolve the dispute. Since World War II the sea has been thoroughly studied by expeditions from all over the world, including Thailand and the United States. Research has even discovered better fishing sites near Taiwan due to upwells.
Sources:
"South China Sea." Encyclopędia Britannica. 2004. Encyclopędia Britannica Online.
19 Feb. 2003 <http://search.eb.com/eb/article?eu=70629>.
"China Sea." Encyclopędia Britannica. 2004. Encyclopędia Britannica Online.
19 Feb. 2003 <http://search.eb.com/eb/article?eu=24514>.
| 
