The CIA World Factbook Edition 2000 Transnational Issues
Disputes - international In 35 editions of 36.
Disputes - international was published in 35 editions of the CIA World Factbook, from 1990 to 2024. The 2000 edition carries it in 260 entries, in its Transnational Issues section. Every entry is shown as that edition published it.
- entries in the 2000 edition
- 260
- the first edition with it
- 1990
- the latest edition with it
- 2024
Published as “Disputes - international” (1997 to 2024), “International disputes” (1993 to 1996), “Disputes” (1990 to 1992), “Disputes--international” (1999) and “Disputes-international” (1998).
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Entries with Disputes - international in each edition
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Africa
60 entriesBotswana
- dispute with Namibia over uninhabited Kasikili (Sidudu) Island in Linyanti (Chobe) River resolved by the ICJ in favor of Botswana (13 December 1999);
- at least one other island in Linyanti River is contested [Country Listing] [ The World Factbook Home]
Cameroon
- delimitation of international boundaries in the vicinity of Lake Chad, the lack of which led to border incidents in the past, is complete and awaits ratification by Cameroon, Chad, Niger, and Nigeria;
- dispute with Nigeria over land and maritime boundaries around the Bakasi Peninsula and Lake Chad is currently before the ICJ, as is a dispute with Equatorial Guinea over the exclusive maritime economic zone [Country Listing] [ The World Factbook Home]
Chad
delimitation of international boundaries in the vicinity of Lake Chad, the lack of which led to border incidents in the past, has been completed and awaits ratification by Cameroon, Chad, Niger, and Nigeria [Country Listing] [ The World Factbook Home]
Comoros
claims French-administered Mayotte; the islands of Anjouan (Nzwani) and Moheli (Mwali) have moved to secede from Comoros [Country Listing] [ The World Factbook Home]
Congo, Democratic Republic of the now Democratic Republic of the Congo
- the Democratic Republic of the Congo is in the grip of a civil war that has drawn in military forces from neighboring states, with Uganda and Rwanda supporting the rebel movement which occupies much of the eastern portion of the state;
- most of the Congo river boundary with the Republic of the Congo is indefinite (no agreement has been reached on the division of the river or its islands, except in the Pool Malebo/Stanley Pool area)
Congo, Republic of the now Republic of the Congo
most of the Congo river boundary with the Democratic Republic of the Congo is indefinite (no agreement has been reached on the division of the river or its islands, except in the Stanley Pool/Pool Malebo area) [Country Listing] [ The World Factbook Home]
Egypt
Egypt asserts its claim to the "Hala'ib Triangle," a barren area of 20,580 sq km under partial Sudanese administration that is defined by an administrative boundary which supersedes the treaty boundary of 1899
Equatorial Guinea
- exclusive maritime economic zone boundary dispute with Cameroon is presently before the ICJ;
- maritime boundary dispute with Gabon because of disputed sovereignty over islands in Corisco Bay;
- maritime boundary dispute with Nigeria and Cameroon because of disputed jurisdiction over oil-rich areas in the Gulf of Guinea [Country Listing] [ The World Factbook Home]
Eritrea
dispute over alignment of boundary with Ethiopia led to armed conflict in 1998, which is still unresolved despite arbitration efforts [Country Listing] [ The World Factbook Home]
Swaziland now Eswatini
Swaziland has asked South Africa to open negotiations on reincorporating some nearby South African territories that are populated by ethnic Swazis or that were long ago part of the Swazi Kingdom [Country Listing] [ The World Factbook Home]
Ethiopia
- most of the southern half of the boundary with Somalia is a Provisional Administrative Line;
- territorial dispute with Somalia over the Ogaden;
- dispute over alignment of boundary with Eritrea led to armed conflict in 1998, which is still unresolved despite arbitration efforts
Gabon
maritime boundary dispute with Equatorial Guinea because of disputed sovereignty over islands in Corisco Bay [Country Listing] [ The World Factbook Home]
Gambia, The now The Gambia
short section of boundary with Senegal is indefinite [Country Listing] [ The World Factbook Home]
Libya
maritime boundary dispute with Tunisia; Libya claims about 19,400 sq km in northern Niger and part of southeastern Algeria [Country Listing] [ The World Factbook Home]
Madagascar
claims Bassas da India, Europa Island, Glorioso Islands, Juan de Nova Island, and Tromelin Island (all administered by France)
Malawi
dispute with Tanzania over the boundary in Lake Nyasa (Lake Malawi) [Country Listing] [ The World Factbook Home]
Mauritius
claims the Chagos Archipelago in UK-administered British Indian Ocean Territory; claims French-administered Tromelin Island
Morocco
- claims and administers Western Sahara, but sovereignty is unresolved and the UN is attempting to hold a referendum on the issue;
- the UN-administered cease-fire has been in effect since September 1991;
- Spain controls five places of sovereignty (plazas de soberania) on and off the coast of Morocco - the coastal enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla which Morocco contests, as well as the islands of Penon de Alhucemas, Penon de Velez de la Gomera, and Islas Chafarinas
Namibia
- dispute with Botswana over uninhabited Kasikili (Sidudu) Island in Linyanti (Chobe) River resolved by the ICJ in favor of Botswana (13 December 1999);
- at least one other island in Linyanti River is contested [Country Listing] [ The World Factbook Home]
Niger
- Libya claims about 19,400 sq km in northern Niger;
- delimitation of international boundaries in the vicinity of Lake Chad, the lack of which led to border incidents in the past, has been completed and awaits ratification by Cameroon, Chad, Niger, and Nigeria [Country Listing] [ The World Factbook Home]
Nigeria
- delimitation of international boundaries in the vicinity of Lake Chad, the lack of which led to border incidents in the past, has been completed and awaits ratification by Cameroon, Chad, Niger, and Nigeria;
- dispute with Cameroon over land and maritime boundaries around the Bakasi Peninsula is currently before the ICJ;
- maritime boundary dispute with Equatorial Guinea because of disputed jurisdiction over oil-rich areas in the Gulf of Guinea
Rwanda
Rwandan military forces are supporting the rebel forces in the civil war in the Democratic Republic of the Congo [Country Listing] [ The World Factbook Home]
Saint Helena now Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha
none [Country Listing] [ The World Factbook Home]
Seychelles
claims Chagos Archipelago in British Indian Ocean Territory [Country Listing] [ The World Factbook Home]
Somalia
- most of the southern half of the boundary with Ethiopia is a Provisional Administrative Line;
- territorial dispute with Ethiopia over the Ogaden [Country Listing] [ The World Factbook Home]
South Africa
Swaziland has asked South Africa to open negotiations on reincorporating some nearby South African territories that are populated by ethnic Swazis or that were long ago part of the Swazi Kingdom
Sudan
- administrative boundary with Kenya does not coincide with international boundary;
- Egypt asserts its claim to the "Hala'ib Triangle," a barren area of 20,580 sq km under partial Sudanese administration that is defined by an administrative boundary which supersedes the treaty boundary of 1899 [Country Listing] [ The World Factbook Home]
Tunisia
maritime boundary dispute with Libya; Malta and Tunisia are discussing the commercial exploitation of the continental shelf between their countries, particularly for oil exploration [Country Listing] [ The World Factbook Home]
Uganda
Ugandan military forces are supporting the rebel forces in the civil war in the Democratic Republic of the Congo [Country Listing] [ The World Factbook Home]
Western Sahara
- claimed and administered by Morocco, but sovereignty is unresolved and the UN is attempting to hold a referendum on the issue;
- the UN-administered cease-fire has been in effect since September 1991 [Country Listing] [ The World Factbook Home]
Antarctic Region
5 entriesAntarctica
- Antarctic Treaty defers claims (see Antarctic Treaty Summary in Government type entry);
- sections (some overlapping) claimed by Argentina, Australia, Chile, France (Adelie Land), New Zealand (Ross Dependency), Norway (Queen Maud Land), and UK;
- the US and most other nations do not recognize the territorial claims of other nations and have made no claims themselves (the US reserves the right to do so);
- no formal claims have been made in the sector between 90 degrees west and 150 degrees west [Country Listing] [ The World Factbook Home]
French Southern and Antarctic Lands
"Adelie Land" claim in Antarctica is not recognized by the US [Country Listing] [ The World Factbook Home]
South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
claimed by Argentina [Country Listing] [ The World Factbook Home]
Arctic Region
3 entriesIceland
Rockall continental shelf dispute involving Denmark, Ireland, and the UK (Ireland and the UK have signed a boundary agreement in the Rockall area) [Country Listing] [ The World Factbook Home]
Asia
23 entriesAfghanistan
support to Islamic militants worldwide by some factions; question over which group should hold Afghanistan's seat at the UN
Armenia
- Armenia supports ethnic Armenians in the Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan in the longstanding, separatist conflict against the Azerbaijani Government;
- traditional demands regarding former Armenian lands in Turkey have subsided
Azerbaijan
- Armenia supports ethnic Armenians in the Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan in the longstanding, separatist conflict against the Azerbaijani Government;
- Caspian Sea boundaries are not yet determined among Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Turkmenistan
Bangladesh
a portion of the boundary with India is indefinite; dispute with India over South Talpatty/New Moore Island
Bhutan
over approximately 96,500 Bhutanese refugees in Nepal [Country Listing] [ The World Factbook Home]
British Indian Ocean Territory
the Chagos Archipelago is claimed by Mauritius and Seychelles [Country Listing] [ The World Factbook Home]
China
- boundary with India in dispute;
- dispute over at least two small sections of the boundary with Russia remain to be settled, despite 1997 boundary agreement;
- portions of the boundary with Tajikistan are indefinite;
- 33-km section of boundary with North Korea in the Paektu-san (mountain) area is indefinite;
- involved in a complex dispute over the Spratly Islands with Malaysia, Philippines, Taiwan, Vietnam, and possibly Brunei;
- maritime boundary dispute with Vietnam in the Gulf of Tonkin;
- Paracel Islands occupied by China, but claimed by Vietnam and Taiwan;
- claims Japanese-administered Senkaku-shoto (Senkaku Islands/Diaoyu Tai), as does Taiwan;
- agreement on land border with Vietnam was signed in December 1999, but details of alignment have not yet been made public
India
- boundary with China in dispute;
- status of Kashmir with Pakistan;
- water-sharing problems with Pakistan over the Indus River (Wular Barrage);
- a portion of the boundary with Bangladesh is indefinite;
- dispute with Bangladesh over New Moore/South Talpatty Island
Japan
- islands of Etorofu, Kunashiri, Shikotan, and the Habomai group occupied by the Soviet Union in 1945, now administered by Russia, claimed by Japan;
- Liancourt Rocks (Takeshima/Tokdo) disputed with South Korea;
- Senkaku-shoto (Senkaku Islands) claimed by China and Taiwan [Country Listing] [ The World Factbook Home]
Kazakhstan
- Caspian Sea boundaries are not yet determined among Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Turkmenistan;
- Russia leases approximately 6,000 sq km of territory enclosing the Baykonur Cosmodrome
Korea, North now North Korea
- 33-km section of boundary with China in the Paektu-san (mountain) area is indefinite;
- Demarcation Line with South Korea [Country Listing] [ The World Factbook Home]
Korea, South now South Korea
Demarcation Line with North Korea; Liancourt Rocks (Takeshima/Tokdo) claimed by Japan [Country Listing] [ The World Factbook Home]
Kyrgyzstan
territorial dispute with Tajikistan on southwestern boundary in Isfara Valley area; periodic target of Islamic terrorists from Uzbekistan and Tajikistan
Pakistan
status of Kashmir with India; water-sharing problems with India over the Indus River (Wular Barrage)
Russia
- dispute over at least two small sections of the boundary with China remain to be settled, despite 1997 boundary agreement;
- islands of Etorofu, Kunashiri, and Shikotan and the Habomai group occupied by the Soviet Union in 1945, now administered by Russia, claimed by Japan;
- Caspian Sea boundaries are not yet determined among Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Turkmenistan;
- Estonian and Russian negotiators reached a technical border agreement in December 1996 which has not been ratified;
- draft treaty delimiting the boundary with Latvia has not been signed;
- has made no territorial claim in Antarctica (but has reserved the right to do so) and does not recognize the claims of any other nation;
- 1997 border agreement with Lithuania not yet ratified
Tajikistan
portions of the boundary with China are indefinite; territorial dispute with Kyrgyzstan on northern boundary in Isfara Valley area
Turkmenistan
Caspian Sea boundaries are not yet determined among Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Turkmenistan
Central America and the Caribbean
32 entriesCuba
US Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay is leased to US and only mutual agreement or US abandonment of the area can terminate the lease
El Salvador
- the Honduras-El Salvador Border Protocol ratified by Honduras in May 1999 established a framework for a long-delayed border demarcation, which is currently underway;
- with respect to the maritime boundary in the Golfo de Fonseca, the ICJ referred to the line determined by the 1900 Honduras-Nicaragua Mixed Boundary Commission and advised that some tripartite resolution among El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua likely would be required
Honduras
- the Honduras-El Salvador Border Protocol ratified by Honduras in May 1999 established a framework for a long-delayed border demarcation, which is currently underway;
- with respect to the maritime boundary in the Golfo de Fonseca, the ICJ referred to the line determined by the 1900 Honduras-Nicaragua Mixed Boundary Commission and advised that some tripartite resolution among El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua likely would be required;
- maritime boundary dispute with Nicaragua in the Caribbean Sea
Nicaragua
- territorial disputes with Colombia over the Archipelago de San Andres y Providencia and Quita Sueno Bank;
- with respect to the maritime boundary question in the Golfo de Fonseca, the ICJ referred to the line determined by the 1900 Honduras-Nicaragua Mixed Boundary Commission and advised that some tripartite resolution among El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua likely would be required;
- maritime boundary dispute with Honduras in the Caribbean Sea
Europe
44 entriesAlbania
- the Albanian Government supports protection of the rights of ethnic Albanians outside of its borders but has downplayed them to further its primary foreign policy goal of regional cooperation;
- Albanian majority in Kosovo seeks independence from Serbian Republic;
- Albanians in The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia claim discrimination in education, access to public-sector jobs, and representation in government
Croatia
- Eastern Slavonia, which was held by ethnic Serbs during the ethnic conflict between the Croats and the Serbs, was returned to Croatian control by the UN Transitional Administration for Eastern Slavonia on 15 January 1998;
- Croatia and Italy made progress toward resolving a bilateral issue dating from World War II over property and ethnic minority rights;
- significant progress has been made with Slovenia toward resolving a maritime border dispute over direct access to the sea in the Adriatic;
- Serbia and Montenegro is disputing Croatia's claim to the Prevlaka Peninsula in southern Croatia because it controls the entrance to Boka Kotorska in Montenegro;
- Prevlaka is currently under observation by the UN Military Observer Mission in Prevlaka (UNMOP)
Czech Republic now Czechia
- Liechtenstein claims restitution for 1,600 sq km of land in the Czech Republic confiscated from its royal family in 1918;
- the Czech Republic insists that restitution does not go back before February 1948, when the communists seized power;
- individual Sudeten German claims for restitution of property confiscated in connection with their expulsion after World War II;
- agreement with Slovakia signed 24 November 1998 resolves issues of redistribution of former Czechoslovak federal land - approval by both parliaments is expected in 2000
Denmark
Rockall continental shelf dispute involving Iceland, Ireland, and the UK (Ireland and the UK have signed a boundary agreement in the Rockall area) [Country Listing] [ The World Factbook Home]
Estonia
Estonian and Russian negotiators reached a technical border agreement in December 1996 which has not been signed or ratified as of 1 January 2000
France
- Madagascar claims Bassas da India, Europa Island, Glorioso Islands, Juan de Nova Island, and Tromelin Island;
- Comoros claims Mayotte;
- Mauritius claims Tromelin Island;
- territorial dispute between Suriname and French Guiana;
- territorial claim in Antarctica (Adelie Land);
- Matthew and Hunter Islands east of New Caledonia claimed by France and Vanuatu
Greece
- complex maritime, air, and territorial disputes with Turkey in Aegean Sea;
- Cyprus question with Turkey;
- dispute with The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia over its name
Ireland
- Northern Ireland issue with the UK (historic peace agreement signed 10 April 1998);
- Rockall continental shelf dispute involving Denmark, Iceland, and the UK (Ireland and the UK have signed a boundary agreement in the Rockall area)
Italy
- Italy and Slovenia made progress in resolving bilateral issues;
- Croatia and Italy made progress toward resolving a bilateral issue dating from World War II over property and ethnic minority rights
Latvia
- draft treaty delimiting the boundary with Russia has not been signed;
- ongoing talks over maritime boundary dispute with Lithuania (primary concern is oil exploration rights)
Liechtenstein
- claims 1,600 sq km of land in the Czech Republic confiscated from its royal family in 1918;
- the Czech Republic insists that restitution does not go back before February 1948, when the communists seized power [Country Listing] [ The World Factbook Home]
Lithuania
ongoing talks over maritime boundary dispute with Latvia (primary concern is oil exploration rights); 1997 border agreement with Russia not yet ratified
Malta
Malta and Tunisia are discussing the commercial exploitation of the continental shelf between their countries, particularly for oil exploration
Moldova
- separatist Transnistria region,
- comprising the area between the Nistru (Dniester) River and Ukraine,
- has its own de facto government,
- dominated by Moldovan Slavs
Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of now North Macedonia
- dispute with Greece over its name;
- the border commission formed by The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Serbia and Montenegro in April 1996 to resolve differences in delineation of their mutual border has made no progress so far;
- Albanians in F.Y.R.O.M. claim discrimination in education, access to public-sector jobs, and representation in government
Norway
territorial claim in Antarctica (Queen Maud Land) [Country Listing] [ The World Factbook Home]
Romania
- dispute with Ukraine over continental shelf of the Black Sea under which significant gas and oil deposits may exist;
- agreed in 1997 to two-year negotiating period, after which either party can refer dispute to the ICJ
Serbia and Montenegro
- disputes with Bosnia and Herzegovina over Serbian populated areas;
- Albanian majority in Kosovo seeks independence from Serbian republic;
- Serbia and Montenegro is disputing Croatia's claim to the Prevlaka Peninsula in southern Croatia because it controls the entrance to Boka Kotorska in Montenegro;
- Prevlaka is currently under observation by the UN military observer mission in Prevlaka (UNMOP);
- the border commission formed by The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Serbia and Montenegro in April 1996 to resolve differences in delineation of their border has made no progress so far
Slovakia
- ongoing Gabcikovo Dam dispute with Hungary;
- agreement with Czech Republic signed 24 November 1998 resolves issues of redistribution of former Czechoslovak federal property - approval by both parliaments is expected in 2000
Slovenia
- significant progress has been made with Croatia toward resolving a maritime border dispute over direct access to the sea in the Adriatic;
- Italy and Slovenia made progress in resolving bilateral issues
Spain
Gibraltar issue with UK; Spain controls five places of sovereignty (plazas de soberania) on and off the coast of Morocco - the coastal enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla, which Morocco contests, as well as the islands of Penon de Alhucemas, Penon de Velez de la Gomera, and Islas Chafarinas
Ukraine
- dispute with Romania over continental shelf of the Black Sea under which significant gas and oil deposits may exist;
- agreed in 1997 to two-year negotiating period, after which either party can refer dispute to the ICJ;
- has made no territorial claim in Antarctica (but has reserved the right to do so) and does not recognize the claims of any other nation
United Kingdom
- Northern Ireland issue with Ireland (historic peace agreement signed 10 April 1998);
- Gibraltar issue with Spain;
- Argentina claims Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas);
- Argentina claims South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands;
- Mauritius claims island of Diego Garcia in British Indian Ocean Territory;
- Rockall continental shelf dispute involving Denmark, Iceland, and Ireland (Ireland and the UK have signed a boundary agreement in the Rockall area);
- territorial claim in Antarctica (British Antarctic Territory);
- Seychelles claims Chagos Archipelago in British Indian Ocean Territory
Middle East
17 entriesBahrain
the territorial dispute with Qatar over the Hawar Islands and the maritime boundary dispute with Qatar are currently before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) [Country Listing] [ The World Factbook Home]
Cyprus
- 1974 hostilities divided the island into two de facto autonomous areas, a Greek Cypriot area controlled by the internationally recognized Cypriot Government (59% of the island's land area) and a Turkish-Cypriot area (37% of the island), that are separated by a UN buffer zone (4% of the island);
- there are two UK sovereign base areas mostly within the Greek Cypriot portion of the island
Gaza Strip
West Bank and Gaza Strip are Israeli-occupied with current status subject to the Israeli-Palestinian Interim Agreement - permanent status to be determined through further negotiation [Country Listing] [ The World Factbook Home]
Iran
- Iran and Iraq restored diplomatic relations in 1990 but are still trying to work out written agreements settling outstanding disputes from their eight-year war concerning border demarcation, prisoners-of-war, and freedom of navigation and sovereignty over the Shatt al Arab waterway;
- Iran occupies two islands in the Persian Gulf claimed by the UAE: Lesser Tunb (called Tunb as Sughra in Arabic by UAE and Jazireh-ye Tonb-e Kuchek in Persian by Iran) and Greater Tunb (called Tunb al Kubra in Arabic by UAE and Jazireh-ye Tonb-e Bozorg in Persian by Iran);
- Iran jointly administers with the UAE an island in the Persian Gulf claimed by the UAE (called Abu Musa in Arabic by UAE and Jazireh-ye Abu Musa in Persian by Iran) - over which Iran has taken steps to exert unilateral control since 1992, including access restrictions and a military build-up on the island;
- the UAE has garnered significant diplomatic support in the region in protesting these Iranian actions;
- Caspian Sea boundaries are not yet determined among Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Turkmenistan
Iraq
- Iran and Iraq restored diplomatic relations in 1990 but are still trying to work out written agreements settling outstanding disputes from their eight-year war concerning border demarcation, prisoners-of-war, and freedom of navigation and sovereignty over the Shatt al Arab waterway;
- in November 1994, Iraq formally accepted the UN-demarcated border with Kuwait which had been spelled out in Security Council Resolutions 687 (1991), 773 (1993), and 883 (1993);
- this formally ends earlier claims to Kuwait and to Bubiyan and Warbah islands although the government continues periodic rhetorical challenges;
- dispute over water development plans by Turkey for the Tigris and Euphrates rivers [Country Listing] [ The World Factbook Home]
Israel
- West Bank and Gaza Strip are Israeli-occupied with current status subject to the Israeli-Palestinian Interim Agreement - permanent status to be determined through further negotiation;
- Golan Heights is Israeli-occupied;
- Israeli troops in southern Lebanon since June 1982
Kuwait
- in November 1994, Iraq formally accepted the UN-demarcated border with Kuwait which had been spelled out in Security Council Resolutions 687 (1991), 773 (1993), and 883 (1993);
- this formally ends earlier claims to Kuwait and to Bubiyan and Warbah islands;
- ownership of Qaruh and Umm al Maradim islands disputed by Saudi Arabia [Country Listing] [ The World Factbook Home]
Lebanon
Israeli troops in southern Lebanon since June 1982; Syrian troops in northern, central, and eastern Lebanon since October 1976
Oman
- northern boundary with the UAE has not been bilaterally defined;
- northern section in the Musandam Peninsula is an administrative boundary [Country Listing] [ The World Factbook Home]
Qatar
- the territorial dispute with Bahrain over the Hawar Islands and the maritime boundary dispute with Bahrain are currently before the International Court of Justice (ICJ);
- June 1999 agreement has furthered the goal of definitively establishing the border with Saudi Arabia [Country Listing] [ The World Factbook Home]
Saudi Arabia
- large section of boundary with Yemen not defined;
- location and status of boundary with UAE is not final, de facto boundary reflects 1974 agreement;
- Kuwaiti ownership of Qaruh and Umm al Maradim islands is disputed by Saudi Arabia;
- June 1999 agreement has furthered the goal of definitively establishing the border with Qatar
Syria
- Golan Heights is Israeli occupied;
- dispute with upstream riparian Turkey over Turkish water development plans for the Tigris and Euphrates rivers;
- Syrian troops in northern, central, and eastern Lebanon since October 1976
Turkey now Turkiye
- complex maritime, air, and territorial disputes with Greece in Aegean Sea;
- Cyprus question with Greece;
- dispute with downstream riparian states (Syria and Iraq) over water development plans for the Tigris and Euphrates rivers;
- traditional demands regarding former Armenian lands in Turkey have subsided
United Arab Emirates
- location and status of boundary with Saudi Arabia is not final, de facto boundary reflects 1974 agreement;
- no defined boundary with most of Oman, but Administrative Line in far north;
- claims two islands in the Persian Gulf occupied by Iran: Lesser Tunb (called Tunb as Sughra in Arabic by UAE and Jazireh-ye Tonb-e Kuchek in Persian by Iran) and Greater Tunb (called Tunb al Kubra in Arabic by UAE and Jazireh-ye Tonb-e Bozorg in Persian by Iran);
- claims island in the Persian Gulf jointly administered with Iran (called Abu Musa in Arabic by UAE and Jazireh-ye Abu Musa in Persian by Iran) - over which Iran has taken steps to exert unilateral control since 1992, including access restrictions and a military build-up on the island;
- the UAE has garnered significant diplomatic support in the region in protesting these Iranian actions
West Bank
West Bank and Gaza Strip are Israeli-occupied with current status subject to the Israeli-Palestinian Interim Agreement - permanent status to be determined through further negotiation [Country Listing] [ The World Factbook Home]
Yemen
a large section of boundary with Saudi Arabia is not defined [Country Listing] [ The World Factbook Home]
North America
6 entriesCanada
maritime boundary disputes with the US (Dixon Entrance, Beaufort Sea, Strait of Juan de Fuca, Machias Seal Island)
United States
- maritime boundary disputes with Canada (Dixon Entrance, Beaufort Sea, Strait of Juan de Fuca, Machias Seal Island);
- US Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay is leased from Cuba and only mutual agreement or US abandonment of the area can terminate the lease;
- Haiti claims Navassa Island;
- US has made no territorial claim in Antarctica (but has reserved the right to do so) and does not recognize the claims of any other nation;
- Marshall Islands claims Wake Island
Oceania
34 entriesMicronesia, Federated States of now Federated States of Micronesia
none [Country Listing] [ The World Factbook Home]
New Caledonia
Matthew and Hunter Islands claimed by France and Vanuatu [Country Listing] [ The World Factbook Home]
New Zealand
territorial claim in Antarctica (Ross Dependency) [Country Listing] [ The World Factbook Home]
Vanuatu
claims Matthew and Hunter Islands east of New Caledonia [Country Listing] [ The World Factbook Home]
South America
13 entriesArgentina
- claims UK-administered Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas);
- claims UK-administered South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands;
- territorial claim in Antarctica
Bolivia
has wanted a sovereign corridor to the South Pacific Ocean since the Atacama area was lost to Chile in 1884; dispute with Chile over Rio Lauca water rights
Brazil
two short sections of boundary with Uruguay are in dispute - Arroio Invernada (Arroyo de la Invernada) area of the Rio Quarai (Rio Cuareim) and the islands at the confluence of the Rio Quarai and the Uruguay River
Chile
- Bolivia has wanted a sovereign corridor to the South Pacific Ocean since the Atacama area was lost to Chile in 1884;
- dispute with Bolivia over Rio Lauca water rights;
- territorial claim in Antarctica (Chilean Antarctic Territory) partially overlaps Argentine and British claims
Colombia
- maritime boundary dispute with Venezuela in the Gulf of Venezuela;
- territorial disputes with Nicaragua over Archipelago de San Andres y Providencia and Quita Sueno Bank
French Guiana
Suriname claims area between Riviere Litani and Riviere Marouini (both headwaters of the Lawa)
Guyana
- all of the area west of the Essequibo River claimed by Venezuela;
- Suriname claims area between New (Upper Courantyne) and Courantyne/Kutari [Koetari] Rivers (all headwaters of the Courantyne)
Suriname
- claims area in French Guiana between Litani Rivier and Riviere Marouini (both headwaters of the Lawa);
- claims area in Guyana between New (Upper Courantyne) and Courantyne/Koetari [Kutari] Rivers (all headwaters of the Courantyne)
Uruguay
two short sections of the boundary with Brazil are in dispute - Arroyo de la Invernada (Arroio Invernada) area of the Rio Cuareim (Rio Quarai) and the islands at the confluence of the Rio Cuareim (Rio Quarai) and the Uruguay River [Country Listing] [ The World Factbook Home]
Venezuela
claims all of Guyana west of the Essequibo River; maritime boundary dispute with Colombia in the Gulf of Venezuela
Southeast Asia
18 entriesBrunei
- possibly involved in a complex dispute over the Spratly Islands with China, Malaysia, Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam;
- in 1984, Brunei established an exclusive fishing zone that encompasses Louisa Reef in the southern Spratly Islands, but has not publicly claimed the island [Country Listing] [ The World Factbook Home]
Cambodia
- offshore islands and sections of the boundary with Vietnam are in dispute;
- maritime boundary with Vietnam not defined;
- parts of border with Thailand are indefinite;
- maritime boundary with Thailand not clearly defined
Malaysia
- involved in a complex dispute over the Spratly Islands with China, Philippines, Taiwan, Vietnam, and possibly Brunei;
- Philippines have not fully revoked claim to Sabah State;
- two islands in dispute with Singapore;
- Sipadan and Ligitan Islands in dispute with Indonesia
Paracel Islands
occupied by China, but claimed by Taiwan and Vietnam [Country Listing] [ The World Factbook Home]
Philippines
- involved in a complex dispute over the Spratly Islands with China, Malaysia, Taiwan, Vietnam, and possibly Brunei;
- claim to Malaysia's Sabah State has not been fully revoked
Spratly Islands
- all of the Spratly Islands are claimed by China, Taiwan, and Vietnam;
- parts of them are claimed by Malaysia and the Philippines;
- in 1984, Brunei established an exclusive fishing zone, which encompasses Louisa Reef in the southern Spratly Islands, but has not publicly claimed the island [Country Listing] [ The World Factbook Home]
Taiwan
- involved in complex dispute over the Spratly Islands with China, Malaysia, Philippines, Vietnam, and possibly Brunei;
- Paracel Islands occupied by China, but claimed by Vietnam and Taiwan;
- claims Japanese-administered Senkaku-shoto (Senkaku Islands/Diaoyu Tai), as does China
Thailand
- parts of the border with Laos are indefinite;
- maritime boundary with Vietnam resolved, August 1997;
- parts of border with Cambodia are indefinite;
- maritime boundary with Cambodia not clearly defined;
- sporadic conflict with Burma over alignment of border
Vietnam
- maritime boundary with Cambodia not defined;
- involved in a complex dispute over the Spratly Islands with China, Malaysia, Philippines, Taiwan, and possibly Brunei;
- maritime boundary with Thailand resolved, August 1997;
- maritime boundary dispute with China in the Gulf of Tonkin;
- Paracel Islands occupied by China but claimed by Vietnam and Taiwan;
- offshore islands and sections of boundary with Cambodia are in dispute;
- agreement on land border with China was signed in December 1999, but details of alignment have not been made public
Oceans
5 entriesArctic Ocean
- some maritime disputes (see littoral states);
- Svalbard is the focus of a maritime boundary dispute between Norway and Russia [Country Listing] [ The World Factbook Home]
Atlantic Ocean
some maritime disputes (see littoral states) [Country Listing] [ The World Factbook Home]
Indian Ocean
some maritime disputes (see littoral states) [Country Listing] [ The World Factbook Home]
Pacific Ocean
some maritime disputes (see littoral states) [Country Listing] [ The World Factbook Home]
Southern Ocean
- Antarctic Treaty defers claims (see Antarctic Treaty Summary in the Antarctica entry);
- sections (some overlapping) claimed by Argentina, Australia, Chile, France, New Zealand, Norway, and UK;
- the US and most other nations do not recognize the maritime claims of other nations and have made no claims themselves (the US reserves the right to do so);
- no formal claims have been made in the sector between 90 degrees west and 150 degrees west [Country Listing] [ The World Factbook Home]
Cite this page
Central Intelligence Agency. The World Factbook 2000, “Disputes - international”, all entries. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/fields/disputes-international/2000.