Macclesfield Bank

Underwater atoll in the South China Sea Macclesfield BankDisputed reefs and shoalsMacclesfield BankInteractive map of Macclesfield BankOther nameMiddle Sand IslandsGeographyLocationSouth China SeaCoordinates16°00′N 114°30′E / 16.000°N 114.500°E / 16.000; 114.500 (South China Sea Islands center)Total islands0Major islandsNoneArea6,448 km2 (2,490 sq mi) total, 0 km2 land surface/isletsLength130 km (81 mi)Width70 km (43 mi)Highest elevation−9.2 m (-30.2 ft)Highest pointUnnamed point below sea levelAdministrationPeople's Republic of ChinaPrefecture-level city ProvinceSansha HainanClaimed byRepublic of China (Taiwan)MunicipalityKaohsiungDemographicsPopulationNone A 1920 American nautical chart, based on British surveys - depths in fathoms Macclesfield Bank is an elongated sunken atoll of underwater reefs and shoals in the South China Sea. It lies east of the Paracel Islands, southwest of Pratas Island and north of the Spratly Islands. It is about 130 km (81 mi) long from southwest to northeast, and about 70 km (43 mi) wide at its broadest part. With an ocean area of 6,448 km2 (2,490 sq mi) it is one of the largest atolls in the world. The Macclesfield Bank is part