Discover the South China Sea: Top 5 Fascinating and Unusual Facts You Never Knew

1. Island-Building Extravaganza

Hold on to your (land)fill, we're going island-building: Subi Reef in the South China Sea, once a barely-visible speck on the ocean's surface, has been turned into a massive 3.95 square kilometer artificial island by China. This newfound land is no slouch either, as it now features a military base, a sprawling harbor, and a runway long enough to make a jumbo jet swoon. But this isn't just a quirky real estate venture – it's also stirring up some territorial woes among neighbors like the Philippines and Vietnam.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

2. A Fishy Group of Islands

In a twist of maritime fate that would surely shiver Captain Ahab's timbers, a surprisingly fishy group of islands finds itself in hot waters: The Spratly Islands in the South China Sea are not only named after British whaling captain Richard Spratly, who spotted them in 1843, but also boast key strategic shipping lanes, rich fishing grounds, potential oil and natural gas reserves, and host barely any inhabitants other than military personnel and a few civilian settlers.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

Did you know the Suez Canal is an aquatic shortcut for 18,000 ships annually, saving them a lengthy journey around Africa? Discover more fascinating facts about this world-famous waterway!

=> Fun Facts about Geography

3. Oil and Gas Treasure Trove

Ahoy, me hearties! It seems our next treasure hunt destination be the South China Sea, where "X" marks the spot for oil and gas booty: This vast body of water not only hosts high-stakes geopolitical bickering but also serves as a pivotal maritime corridor for oil and gas shipments from the Middle East and Africa, making it Beijing's one-stop shop for energy security interests.
Source => thediplomat.com

4. Global Trade Crossroads

Ahoy, mateys of the global economic seas, grab your spyglasses and behold the bustling crossroads of trade and treasure buried deep in the South China Sea: Within its swirling depths flows an astounding 60% of global maritime trade, with one-third of it making its way through this strategic waterway. In 2016 alone, a bountiful booty of $3.4 trillion, or 21% of global trade, sailed these lucrative waters, bolstering the coffers of China, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan who rely heavily on the economic lifeline of the Strait of Malacca's connection between the Indian and Pacific Oceans.
Source => chinapower.csis.org

5. Pirate Adventures and Majestic Sea Creatures

Ahoy matey, are ye lookin' for a swashbucklin' adventure fit for Davy Jones' locker? Well, X marks the spot in the South China Sea: The Sulu and Celebes Seas within, still teem with piracy both old and new, from 19th-century Samal pirates' descendants to modern-day criminals trafficking in arms, drugs, and even humans. Aye, but these treacherous waters aren't just the scourge of marauders— they're also an important migratory path for enchanting marine creatures like the whale shark.
Source => en.wikipedia.org