West York Island

West York Island

West York Island or Likas Island ( _tl. Likas; zh-tsp|t=西月島|s=西月岛|p=Xīyuè Dǎo; _vi. Đảo Dừa), having an area of 18.6 hectares, is the third largest island of the Spratly Islands chain in South China Sea. It is the second largest island among Philippine-occupied Spratly islands. It is convert|530|yd|m|0 wide at its widest part; and convert|330|yd|m|0 in length. It is located 47 miles (76 km) northeast of Pagasa Island (Thitu Island), the town proper of Kalayaan, Palawan. Its highest elevation is convert|30|m|ft|0. Several Filipino soldiers are stationed here. This island is also being claimed by China, Taiwan and Vietnam. This island is administered by the Philippines as part of Kalayaan, Palawan. "Likas" is the Tagalog rootword of "kalikasan" which means nature.

tructures 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. This island is considered a sanctuary for giant sea turtles that lay their eggs on the island all year round. The high salinity of the ground water in the island retards the growth of introduced trees like coconuts, ipil-ipil, and other types. Only those endemic to the area that are mostly beach type 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 the Japanese soldiers during World War II, and a small Philippine observation post, where Filipino soldiers stationed are taking shelter.

Plans

West York Island (Likas) belongs to the Municipality of Kalayaan, Palawan. However, because there is no civilian population in this island, it cannot qualify for any political subdivision the Philippines has. Kalayaan, Palawan is the only municipality in the Philippines to have a single barangay. Barangays are political subdivisions that comprises Philippine municipalities and cities. Kalayaan's lone barangay is Pagasa Island (Thitu) which has about 300 civilian population.

Because it is the second largest island among Philippine-occupied Spratly islands, Kalayaan municipal officials proposed that this island be populated with civilian settlers within the coming years. If accomplished, Likas will be the second barangay of Kalayaan. However, Likas' land area is only 50% of Pagasa's and 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.

ee also

*Spratly Islands
*Kalayaan, Palawan
*Policies, activities and history of the Philippines in Spratly Islands


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать реферат

Look at other dictionaries:

  • West York — may refer to: *West York, Illinois *West York, Pennsylvania *West York Island …   Wikipedia

  • West Crib Island — is one of the Thimble Islands off Stony Creek, a section of Branford, Connecticut. It last sold in 1976 for $131,500 to party goods magnate John Svenningsen, whose widow, Christine Svenningsen, has since bought several more Thimbles.References*… …   Wikipedia

  • West Point (disambiguation) — West Point or variants thereof can refer to several places of several places: Falklands * West Point Island Hong Kong, China * West Point, Hong Kong United States *West Point, the United States Military Academy, located at West Point, New York *… …   Wikipedia

  • West Hempstead Branch —      West Hempstead Branch Side view of West Hempstead Station, from Hempstead Avenue. Overview …   Wikipedia

  • West Virginia Waterways — finds its source at the highland watersheds of the Allegheny Mountains. These watersheds supply drainage to the creeks often passing through deep and narrow hollows. From the hollows, rushing highland streams collect in bottom land brooks and… …   Wikipedia

  • West Eighth Street–New York Aquarium (estación) — West Eighth Street – New York Aquarium …   Wikipedia Español

  • West Palm Beach, Florida — West Palm Beach   City   West Palm Beach Skyline …   Wikipedia

  • West End Terminal — was a series of railroad terminals located at Coney Island, Brooklyn, near what is now the northeast corner of Surf and Stillwell Avenues.The first standard railroad depot on Coney Island, the original West End Terminal opened on June 8, 1864, to …   Wikipedia

  • West New Brighton, Staten Island — West New Brighton is a neighborhood of New York City, USA situated along the central North Shore of Staten Island. The neighborhood borders New Brighton to the east, Port Richmond to the west, the waters of the Kill Van Kull to the north, and the …   Wikipedia

  • York River State Park — is located near the unincorporated town of Croaker in James City County, Virginia on the south bank of the York River about 10 miles downstream from West Point. The York River is formed from the confluence of the Mattaponi River and the Pamunkey… …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”