geo.wikisort.org - Island

West York Island,[1] also known as Likas Island (Filipino: Pulo ng Likas, lit. 'Island of Naturality';[2] Mandarin Chinese: 西月島/西月岛; pinyin: Xīyuè Dǎo; Vietnamese: đảo Bến Lạc), and several other names. With an area of 18.6 hectares (46 acres), it is the third largest of the naturally occurring Spratly Islands,[3][4] and the second largest (after Thitu Island) of the Philippine-occupied islands. It is 530 yards (485 m) wide, 330 yards (302 m) long, and its highest elevation is 30 feet (9 m).

This article needs additional citations for verification. (January 2021)

West York Island

Disputed island Other names: Likas Island (Philippine English) Pulo ng Likas (Filipino) đảo Bến Lạc (Vietnamese) 西月島 / 西月岛 Xīyuè Dǎo (Chinese)
West York Island
West York Island
Geography
Location	South China Sea
Coordinates	11°05′N 115°0′E
Archipelago	Spratly Islands
Administered by
Philippines
Region	IV-B - MIMAROPA
Province	Palawan
Municipality	Kalayaan
Claimed by
People's Republic of China
Philippines
Republic of China (Taiwan)
Vietnam

The island is administered by the Philippines as part of Kalayaan, Palawan; it is located 47 miles (76 km) northeast of Pagasa Island (Thitu Island), the location of the Philippine defined major town of Kalayaan. Filipino soldiers are stationed on the island.

The island is also claimed by the People's Republic of China, the Republic of China (Taiwan) and Vietnam.

Structures and environment

West York Island is covered with low vegetation and scrub. Outcrops are visible on the southern and eastern portion of the island during low tides. It is a sanctuary for giant sea turtles that lay their eggs on the island all year round. The high salinity of the groundwater on the island retards the growth of introduced trees like coconuts, ipil-ipil, and other types; only those plants indigenous to the area, (mostly beach types of plants), thrive and survive the hot and humid condition, especially during the dry season.

There are no buildings on the island, except for the ruins of houses built by Japanese soldiers during World War II, and a small Philippine observation post where Filipino soldiers are stationed.

The Philippine Coast Guard constructed 5 lighthouses in the area, and this includes one on West York Island.[5]

Plans

Kalayaan municipal officials have proposed that this island be populated with civilian settlers "within the coming years".^{[vague][citation needed]} If accomplished, it will be the second barangay of Kalayaan (after Thitu Island/Pag-asa). However, only naval vessels are currently capable of reaching the island. An estimate of 300 million pesos (US$7.5M) will be needed to construct an airstrip, a docking site, some land reclamation and other structures necessary to support an isolated community.^{[citation needed]}

See also

• Spratly Islands
• Kalayaan, Palawan
• List of maritime features in the Spratly Islands
• Policies, activities and history of the Philippines in Spratly Islands

References

External links

• Maritime Transparency Initiative Island Tracker

На других языках

---

- [en] West York Island

---

[es] West York (isla)

La isla West York[2][3] o isla Likas (tagalo: Likas,[4] chino simplificado: 西 月 岛, chino tradicional: 西 月 岛, pinyin: Xīyuè dǎo; vietnamita: Đảo Dừa (Bến Lạc)), con una superficie de 18,6 hectáreas (0,18 km²), es la tercera isla más grande de las Islas Spratly en el sur del Mar de la China. Además, es la segunda isla más grande de las ocupadas por Filipinas[5] de entre ese mismo grupo de islas.

---

[fr] Île West York

Île West York (en tagalog: Likas, en chinois simplifié : 西月岛; en chinois traditionnel : 西月島 en pinyin: Xīyuè Dǎo; en vietnamien: Đảo Dừa) est une île habitée de l'archipel de Spratleys, dont elle est la troisième île la plus étendue, avec 18,6 hectares. Elle est occupée par les Philippines et revendiquée par la République populaire de Chine, la République de Chine et le Viêt Nam.

---

---