Loaita Island
| Disputed island | |
|---|---|
Loaita Island
|
|
| Geography | |
 |
|
| Location | South China Sea |
| Coordinates | 10°40′N 114°25′E / 10.667°N 114.417°ECoordinates: 10°40′N 114°25′E / 10.667°N 114.417°E |
| Archipelago | Spratly Islands |
| Administered by | |
| Philippines | |
| Municipality | Kalayaan, Palawan |
| Claimed by | |
| People's Republic of China | |
| Philippines | |
| Republic of China (Taiwan) | |
| Vietnam | |
Loaita Island 10°40′N 114°25′E / 10.667°N 114.417°E, also known as Tagalog: Kota Island, Chinese: 南鑰島; pinyin: Nanyue Dao, and Vietnamese: Đảo Loại Ta, with an area of 6.45 hectares (15.9 acres), is the tenth largest of the Spratly Islands, and the fifth largest of the Philippine-occupied islands. It is located just to the west of the northern part of Dangerous Ground, and is 22 miles (35 km) southeast of Philippine-occupied Thitu Island (Pagasa Island) and 22 miles (35 km) north-northeast of Taiwan-occupied Itu Aba Island.
The island is administered by the Philippines as part of Kalayaan, Palawan. Kota is a Philippine word for a fort.
The island is also claimed by the People's Republic of China, the Republic of China (Taiwan) and Vietnam.
Loaita Island fringes the Loaita Bank, shoals and reefs. Its calcarenite outcrop is visible along its western side at low tide. The present shape of the island indicates sand buildup along its eastern side. The anchor-shaped side will eventually connect with the northern portion as the sand buildup continues, thereby creating another mini-lagoon in the process. The presence of migrating sea birds adds to the high phosphorus content of the island's sand. Occasionally, giant sea turtles lay their eggs on the island. The island is covered with mangrove bushes, above which rise coconut palms and other small trees.
...
Wikipedia