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Fun facts about South China Sea

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Mar de China Meridional - BM WMS 2004
ocean

The South China Sea was referred to as the Champa Sea or Sea of Cham in Southeast Asia before the 16th century.

South China Sea
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ocean

South China Sea

Multiple

Area
3.50M km²
Location
Multiple
8th largest ocean in the world

The South China Sea is a marginal sea of the Western Pacific Ocean.

From the “Etymology” section

Text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Photo: Serg!o · Public Domain

Fact 1 permalink
Mar de China Meridional - BM WMS 2004
ocean

The South China Sea has an average depth of 1,212 m (3,976 ft).

South China Sea
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ocean

South China Sea

Multiple

Area
3.50M km²
Location
Multiple
8th largest ocean in the world

The South China Sea is a marginal sea of the Western Pacific Ocean.

From the “Hydrography” section

Text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Photo: Serg!o · Public Domain

Fact 2 permalink
Mar de China Meridional - BM WMS 2004
ocean

The South China Sea opened around 45 million years ago when the 'Dangerous Ground' rifted away from southern China.

South China Sea
Multiple
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ocean

South China Sea

Multiple

Area
3.50M km²
Location
Multiple
8th largest ocean in the world

The South China Sea is a marginal sea of the Western Pacific Ocean.

From the “Geology” section

Text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Photo: Serg!o · Public Domain

Fact 3 permalink
Mar de China Meridional - BM WMS 2004
ocean

The South China Sea contains over 250 small islands, atolls, cays, shoals, reefs, and sandbars.

South China Sea
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ocean

South China Sea

Multiple

Area
3.50M km²
Location
Multiple
8th largest ocean in the world

The South China Sea is a marginal sea of the Western Pacific Ocean.

From the “Islands and seamounts” section

Text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Photo: Serg!o · Public Domain

Fact 4 permalink
Mar de China Meridional - BM WMS 2004
ocean

In 2023, the South China Sea remained a major energy trade route, with 10 billion barrels of petroleum and petroleum products passing through it.

South China Sea
Multiple
Tap to learn more
ocean

South China Sea

Multiple

Area
3.50M km²
Location
Multiple
8th largest ocean in the world

The South China Sea is a marginal sea of the Western Pacific Ocean.

From the “Trade route” section

Text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Photo: Serg!o · Public Domain

Fact 5 permalink