Define: Territorial Sea

The territorial sea refers to the area of water adjacent to a country’s coastline that is considered part of its sovereign territory.

Under international law, a country’s territorial sea extends up to 12 nautical miles (approximately 22.2 kilometers) from its baseline, which is usually the low-water line along its coast.

A country has full sovereignty over its territorial sea, which means it has exclusive rights to explore, exploit, and manage the natural resources within this area. It also has the authority to enforce its laws and regulations, including customs and immigration control.

Yes, under the principle of innocent passage, foreign ships are allowed to navigate through a country’s territorial sea as long as they do not engage in any activities that threaten the peace, security, or environment of the coastal state.

Yes, a country has the right to regulate or even deny access to foreign military vessels in its territorial sea. However, most countries allow innocent passage for military vessels as long as they comply with certain conditions, such as providing prior notification.

Yes, under certain circumstances, a country can claim an extended territorial sea beyond 12 nautical miles. This can be done through a process called baselines delimitation, where a country establishes straight baselines or uses other methods recognized by international law.

Yes, it is possible for the territorial seas of two or more countries to overlap. In such cases, the countries involved must negotiate and establish maritime boundaries through bilateral or multilateral agreements.

Yes, a country has the right to control the airspace above its territorial sea. However, the extent of this control may vary depending on international agreements and customary practices.

Yes, a country has exclusive rights to explore and exploit the natural resources located beneath the seabed of its territorial sea. This includes resources such as oil, gas, minerals, and fish stocks.

Yes, a country has the authority to establish marine protected areas within its territorial sea to conserve and protect its marine environment. However, the establishment of such areas must comply with international law and take into account the rights and interests of other states.