Typhoons in the Philippines storms impacting the Philippines in deadly seasons, see: Typhoons in the Philippines Approximately twenty tropical cyclones enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility yearly, an area which incorporates parts of the Pacific Ocean, South China Sea and the Philippine Archipelago (with the exception of Tawi-Tawi province). Among these cyclones, ten will be typhoons, with five having the potential to be destructive ones. The Philippines is "the most exposed country in the world to tropical storms" according to a Time Magazine article in 2013. In the Philippine languages, typhoons are called "bagyo". Typhoons can hit the Philippines any time of year, with
Philippines and the Spratly Islands are occupying and/or controlling ten features, (seven islands, three reefs): By comparison, within the Spratly Islands: Also, the Philippines has some features that are "virtually occupied". These are features that lie in very close proximity to Philippine-occupied features, and can be seen within the horizon. (A 15 meter-height vision gives about of horizon distance). These include: North Reef, Sandy Cay, Loaita Nan and Loaita Cay. Also, most features that lie to the east of the 116°E, though not necessarily occupied, are largely controlled by the Philippines. The Philippine assertion of sovereignty over the Spratly Islands began in May 1956, when