How many countries are listed on the second island chain?

How many countries are listed on the second island chain?

• A. 2
• B. 4
• C. 5
• D. 3

Answer: (D)

Think of the second island chain as a strategic line in the Pacific that sits beyond the first island chain. It’s used to discuss where major independent countries lie in relation to potential naval reach and regional defense considerations. In the commonly used diagrams for this topic, three countries are listed as lying on or near that chain: Japan, Taiwan, and the Philippines. Since those three are the ones highlighted in this context, the count is three.

Think of the second island chain as a strategic line in the Pacific that sits beyond the first island chain. It’s used to discuss where major independent countries lie in relation to potential naval reach and regional defense considerations. In the commonly used diagrams for this topic, three countries are listed as lying on or near that chain: Japan, Taiwan, and the Philippines. Since those three are the ones highlighted in this context, the count is three.