The reef is a large (8.5 nautical miles) approximately circular atoll with a central lagoon (~20m deep). The surrounding reef is shallow.[1]
History
Fishermen from Champa were likely the first people to discover the reef. However, later on, the Vietnamese would show interest for the reef.
From the 15th century onward, Vietnamese kings began to pay attention to the islands in the South China sea.
In 1776, Le Quy Don wrote at Phu Bien Tap Luc about these islands, as well as the establishment and operation of the Paracel fleet (Vietnamese: Hải Đội Hoàng Sa) and the Northern fleet (Vietnamese: Hải Đội Bắc Hải) of Vietnam.
When Vietnam was a French colony under French Indochina, the French Government continued to manage North Danger Reef along with the Paracel and Spratly Islands.
In 1935, China announced its claims and named the North Danger Reef. It is called: "Gemini" (Chinese: 双子群礁).
Territorial monument of the Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam) on Southwest Cay, Spratly Islands, defining the cay as part of Vietnamese territory (to Phước Tuy Province). Used since 22 August 1956 until 1975, when replaced by another one from the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (successor)..
.jpg)
