Define: Territorial Waters

Territorial waters refer to the area of the sea that is adjacent to a country’s land territory and is considered part of its sovereign territory.

Territorial waters typically extend up to 12 nautical miles (22.2 kilometers) from a country’s coastline, measured from the baseline.

A country has full sovereignty over its territorial waters, including the right to regulate and enforce laws related to navigation, fishing, and resource exploration within this area.

Foreign vessels have the right of innocent passage through a country’s territorial waters, meaning they can navigate through without engaging in any harmful activities or threatening the country’s security.

A country can temporarily restrict or deny access to its territorial waters for reasons of national security, public safety, or protection of its natural resources.

Under certain circumstances, a country may extend its territorial waters beyond 12 nautical miles, such as when it has an archipelago or if it can demonstrate a historic claim to a larger area.

A country has the right to exercise control over the airspace above its territorial waters, subject to international aviation regulations and agreements.

A country has the exclusive right to explore and exploit the natural resources, such as oil, gas, and minerals, within its territorial waters.

A country has the authority to enforce its laws within its territorial waters, including arresting and prosecuting individuals on foreign vessels who violate its laws.

Yes, disputes over territorial waters can arise between neighboring countries, particularly when there are overlapping claims or conflicting interpretations of international law. These disputes are often resolved through negotiations, mediation, or international arbitration.