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Wanshan Archipelago

geography Maturity 11-13 Next article →

The Wanshan Archipelago is a large group of 104 islands.

Shek Kwu Chau and Wai Lingding Island 1
Shek Kwu Chau and Wai Lingding Island 1

These islands sit in the South China Sea. They are part of the Xiangzhou District in Zhuhai, China. You can find them near Hong Kong and the Pearl River estuary.

Island from Tian Tan Buddha
Island from Tian Tan Buddha

The islands are split into several different groups. There is a western group and an eastern group. There is also a central group and a northwestern group. These different groups help organize the many islands in the sea.

Each group of islands has its own special features. The western group includes the island of Greater Wanshan. The eastern group was once called the Lema Islands.

Islas del archipiélago Wanshan, Hong Kong, 2013-08-13, DD 02
Islas del archipiélago Wanshan, Hong Kong, 2013-08-13, DD 02

The largest island is Dangan, which covers 13.2 square kilometers.

Islas del archipiélago Wanshan, Hong Kong, 2013-08-13, DD 01
Islas del archipiélago Wanshan, Hong Kong, 2013-08-13, DD 01

It has about 200 people living in places like Zhangmu Bay. Another island, Erzhou Dao, is the highest point in the whole area. It rises 437.7 meters above the sea level.

Ocean Park and Erzhou Dao
Ocean Park and Erzhou Dao

History has shaped these islands over many years. Long ago, Europeans called the western islands the Ladrones. This name comes from the Spanish word for thieves.

In 1892, a lighthouse began working on Wenwei Zhou. A Hong Kong contractor built it to help ships sail to Hong Kong. The lighthouse had rooms for living and storing things. It was later damaged by typhoons and civil war. Today, the lighthouse is fully automated using solar panels.

Life on the islands is connected to the ocean. Most people live in small fishing villages. They catch things like crystal prawns and peeler crabs.

珠海東澳島2008 5
珠海東澳島2008 5

Many people also visit the islands for fun. About 350,000 tourists come to visit every year. They like to see the natural beauty and the beaches. Some people stay at a holiday resort on Dong'ao Dao.

珠海東澳島2008 5
珠海東澳島2008 5

You can travel to the islands by taking a ferry.

珠海東澳島2008 16
珠海東澳島2008 16

There are many interesting things to see and do. You can visit the A-Ma Temple on Wanshan. On Miaowan Dao, you can find a coral beach.

珠海東澳島2008 5
珠海東澳島2008 5

Some islands have high peaks, like the Asses' Ears on Beijian Dao.

The islands also have important waterways like the Lema Channel. People can explore temples or look at statues of famous people. The archipelago is a busy and beautiful part of the coast.

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🖼️ Images & Media (9)
File:Ocean Park and Erzhou Dao.JPG
Ocean Park and Erzhou Dao.JPG
File:Islas del archipiélago Wanshan, Hong Kong, 2013-08-13, DD DD 03.JPG
Islas del archipiélago Wanshan, Hong...
File:珠海東澳島2008 5.jpg
珠海東澳島2008 5.jpg
File:Shek Kwu Chau and Wai Lingding Island 1.jpg
Shek Kwu Chau and Wai Lingding Island 1.jpg
File:Island from Tian Tan Buddha.JPG
Island from Tian Tan Buddha.JPG
File:Islas del archipiélago Wanshan, Hong Kong, 2013-08-13, DD 01.jpg
Islas del archipiélago Wanshan, Hong...
File:Islas del archipiélago Wanshan, Hong Kong, 2013-08-13, DD 02.jpg
Islas del archipiélago Wanshan, Hong...
File:Guishan Island (Zhuhai) - 2007 - 07.JPG
Guishan Island (Zhuhai) - 2007 - 07.JPG
File:珠海東澳島2008 16.jpg
珠海東澳島2008 16.jpg
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