How Do Countries' Sea Borders Work?

Summary

This video script explores the concept of maritime borders, explaining how countries claim jurisdiction over portions of the world's oceans. It outlines the division of oceans into five main bodies and discusses the distinctions between territorial waters and exclusive economic zones (EEZ). The script also highlights the vastness of international waters, where no single country holds jurisdiction, and touches on the strategic importance of sea borders, exemplified by disputes in areas like the South China Sea. The video concludes with a look at how certain countries, especially islands and those with historical colonial territories, have significantly expanded their maritime territories, affecting global ocean governance.

Takeaways

• 🌍 The Earth's surface is divided into 29% land and 71% water, with the latter requiring organization and division similar to land borders.
• 🌊 There are five oceans: Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, Southern (Antarctic), and Arctic, each serving as a significant geographical boundary.
• 🗺️ Only about 5% of the seafloor has been mapped due to its extreme depths, while the surface of the water has been fully mapped.
• 🚢 Maritime boundaries are crucial as they extend a country's territory into the ocean, granting ownership and jurisdiction over certain areas.
• 🏖️ Countries have territorial waters extending up to 12 nautical miles and exclusive economic zones (EEZ) that can extend up to 200 nautical miles, controlling resources within these limits.
• 🌐 International waters, or high seas, are areas beyond national jurisdiction where all countries have rights to navigation and other freedoms, but none can claim sovereignty.
• 🚢 Ships in international waters are still subject to the laws of the country under whose flag they sail, reflecting a form of extended jurisdiction.
• 🌐 Some countries, especially islands, benefit significantly from their maritime boundaries, expanding their control over vast sea areas.
• 🏝️ Island nations like Kiribati and Micronesia have disproportionately large EEZs compared to their land area, highlighting the importance of maritime zones.
• ⚖️ Disputes over maritime boundaries, such as in the South China Sea, underscore the strategic and economic significance of these zones.

Q & A

What is the percentage of land on Earth compared to water?

The Earth's surface is composed of 29% land and 71% water.

How many oceans are there in the world, and what are their names?

There are five oceans in the world: the Pacific, the Atlantic, the Indian Ocean, the Southern Ocean, and the Arctic Ocean.

What is the difference between territorial waters and the exclusive economic zone (EEZ)?

Territorial waters extend up to 12 nautical miles from the coast and belong entirely to the country. The EEZ extends up to 200 nautical miles from the coast and allows the country to control economic resources but does not prohibit other countries from passing through.

What is the term for the portion of the ocean that belongs to no one and is under no country's jurisdiction?

The portion of the ocean that belongs to no one and is under no country's jurisdiction is known as international waters or the high seas.

Which country has the largest exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the world?

France has the largest exclusive economic zone in the world, largely due to its overseas territories and islands.

What are the rights of countries in international waters?

In international waters, known as the high seas, all countries have the right to move through, fish, navigate, fly over, lay cables and pipelines, and conduct scientific research, but none can claim control over these areas.

How much of the seafloor has been mapped out, and why is it difficult to map?

It is estimated that only about 5% of the seafloor has been mapped out due to the extreme depths of the oceans.

What is the significance of maritime boundaries for countries?

Maritime boundaries are significant for countries as they define the areas where a country has ownership and jurisdiction, including rights to resources like fishing, mining, and oil exploration.

Why are islands considered the biggest beneficiaries of maritime boundaries?

Islands are considered the biggest beneficiaries of maritime boundaries because they have a free radius around them to claim territorial and economic zone waters, without being land-locked by other countries.

What is a disputed maritime area, and can you provide an example?

A disputed maritime area is a zone where control is contested by two or more countries. An example is the South China Sea, claimed by six countries: China, Malaysia, Vietnam, Brunei, the Philippines, and Taiwan.

How do countries with large coastlines or many islands benefit from maritime boundaries?

Countries with large coastlines or many islands benefit from maritime boundaries as they can claim extensive territorial waters and EEZs, potentially giving them access to more resources and a larger area of control.