Liancourt Rocks

ISO Code: None
FIPS 10-4 Code: None
MARC Code: None
status: disputed territory

Called Tokdo (Lonely Islands in Korean), Takeshima (Bamboo Island in Japanese), and the Liancourt Rocks in English, the volcanic isles are situated some 90 miles off each nation's shore. They are located at 37 degees 14 minutes 18 seconds north latitude and 131 degrees 52 minutes 12 seconds east longitude and comprise 34 rock islets, including the two most prominent, Tongdo and Sudo. Tongdo on the east is 99.4 meters above sea level, is 64,698 square meters in size. And Sudo on the west is 174 meters above sea level is 91,740 square meters in size. The islands were formed 4.5­2.5 million years ago and are mainly composed of volcanic tuff and other volcanic rock. Both countries claim the islands because their sailors and fishermen used them as rest stops centuries ago. South Korea has the advantage of controlling the islands now. Seoul has stationed Coast Guard officials on the rocky outcroppings since 1954. Japan has often asserted its rights to the islands and sent its own Coast Guard to patrol the area.

Source: Virtual Information Center