The Spratly Islands are one of the largest archipelagos in the South China Sea. The islands are mostly uninhabited, but offer rich fishing grounds and may contain significant reserves of oil and natural gas. Some islands have civilian settlements, but of the approximately 45 occupied islands, bays, reefs and shoals, all contain structures occupied by the armed forces of Malaysia, China (PRC), Taiwan (ROC), the Philippines and Vietnam. In addition, Brunei has claimed the exclusive economic zone in the southeastern part of the Spratly Islands, which includes the uninhabited Louise Reef.
