The CIA World Factbook Edition 2012 Geography
Maritime claims In 36 editions of 36.
Maritime claims was published in 36 editions of the CIA World Factbook, from 1990 to 2025. The 2012 edition carries it in 253 entries, in its Geography section. Every entry is shown as that edition published it.
- entries in the 2012 edition
- 253
- the first edition with it
- 1990
- the latest edition with it
- 2025
Published as “Maritime claims” (1990 to 2025) and “Territorial sea” (1990).
the entry has the field in that editionnot in that editionthe open editionEach entry below ends in its editions with Maritime claims, 1990 to 2025. Point at a year above to follow it down; choose one in a row to read that edition’s text there.
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Entries with Maritime claims in each edition
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World
1 entryWorld
- a variety of situations exist, but in general, most countries make the following claims measured from the mean low-tide baseline as described in the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea: territorial sea - 12 nm, contiguous zone - 24 nm, and exclusive economic zone - 200 nm;
- additional zones provide for exploitation of continental shelf resources and an exclusive fishing zone;
- boundary situations with neighboring states prevent many countries from extending their fishing or economic zones to a full 200 nm
Africa
57 entriesCape Verde now Cabo Verde
measured from claimed archipelagic baselines
- territorial sea:
- 12 nm
- contiguous zone:
- 24 nm
- exclusive economic zone:
- 200 nm
Congo, Democratic Republic of the now Democratic Republic of the Congo
- territorial sea:
- 12 nm
- exclusive economic zone:
- boundaries with neighbors
Egypt
- territorial sea:
- 12 nm
- contiguous zone:
- 24 nm
- exclusive economic zone:
- 200 nm
- continental shelf:
- 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation
Gambia, The now The Gambia
- territorial sea:
- 12 nm
- contiguous zone:
- 18 nm
- exclusive fishing zone:
- 200 nm
- continental shelf:
- extent not specified
Ghana
- territorial sea:
- 12 nm
- contiguous zone:
- 24 nm
- exclusive economic zone:
- 200 nm
- continental shelf:
- 200 nm
Kenya
- territorial sea:
- 12 nm
- exclusive economic zone:
- 200 nm
- continental shelf:
- 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation
Libya
- territorial sea:
- 12 nm
note: Gulf of Sidra closing line - 32 degrees, 30 minutes north
- exclusive fishing zone:
- 62 nm
Madagascar
- territorial sea:
- 12 nm
- contiguous zone:
- 24 nm
- exclusive economic zone:
- 200 nm
- continental shelf:
- 200 nm or 100 nm from the 2,500-m isobath
Mauritania
- territorial sea:
- 12 nm
- contiguous zone:
- 24 nm
- exclusive economic zone:
- 200 nm
- continental shelf:
- 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
Mauritius
measured from claimed archipelagic straight baselines
- territorial sea:
- 12 nm
- exclusive economic zone:
- 200 nm
- continental shelf:
- 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
Morocco
- territorial sea:
- 12 nm
- contiguous zone:
- 24 nm
- exclusive economic zone:
- 200 nm
- continental shelf:
- 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation
Nigeria
- territorial sea:
- 12 nm
- exclusive economic zone:
- 200 nm
- continental shelf:
- 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation
Sao Tome and Principe
measured from claimed archipelagic baselines
- territorial sea:
- 12 nm
- exclusive economic zone:
- 200 nm
Senegal
- territorial sea:
- 12 nm
- contiguous zone:
- 24 nm
- exclusive economic zone:
- 200 nm
- continental shelf:
- 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
Seychelles
- territorial sea:
- 12 nm
- contiguous zone:
- 24 nm
- exclusive economic zone:
- 200 nm
- continental shelf:
- 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
Sierra Leone
- territorial sea:
- 12 nm
- contiguous zone:
- 24 nm
- exclusive economic zone:
- 200 nm
- continental shelf:
- 200 nm
South Africa
- territorial sea:
- 12 nm
- contiguous zone:
- 24 nm
- exclusive economic zone:
- 200 nm
- continental shelf:
- 200 nm or to edge of the continental margin
Sudan
- territorial sea:
- 12 nm
- contiguous zone:
- 18 nm
- continental shelf:
- 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation
Antarctic Region
5 entriesAntarctica
- Australia, Chile, and Argentina claim Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) rights or similar over 200 nm extensions seaward from their continental claims, but like the claims themselves, these zones are not accepted by other countries;
- 21 of 28 Antarctic consultative nations have made no claims to Antarctic territory (although Russia and the US have reserved the right to do so) and do not recognize the claims of the other nations;
- also see the Disputes - international entry
French Southern and Antarctic Lands
- territorial sea:
- 12 nm
- exclusive economic zone:
- 200 nm from Iles Kerguelen and Iles Eparses (does not include the rest of French Southern and Antarctic Lands);
- Juan de Nova Island and Tromelin Island claim a continental shelf of 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands now South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
- territorial sea:
- 12 nm
- exclusive fishing zone:
- 200 nm
Arctic Region
4 entriesGreenland
- territorial sea:
- 3 nm
- exclusive fishing zone:
- 200 nm or agreed boundaries or median line
- continental shelf:
- 200 nm or agreed boundaries or median line
Iceland
- territorial sea:
- 12 nm
- exclusive economic zone:
- 200 nm
- continental shelf:
- 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
Jan Mayen
- territorial sea:
- 4 nm
- contiguous zone:
- 10 nm
- exclusive economic zone:
- 200 nm
- continental shelf:
- 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation
Svalbard
- territorial sea:
- 4 nm
- exclusive fishing zone:
- 200 nm unilaterally claimed by Norway but not recognized by Russia
Asia
23 entriesBangladesh
- territorial sea:
- 12 nm
- contiguous zone:
- 18 nm
- exclusive economic zone:
- 200 nm
- continental shelf:
- up to the outer limits of the continental margin
China
- territorial sea:
- 12 nm
- contiguous zone:
- 24 nm
- exclusive economic zone:
- 200 nm
- continental shelf:
- 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
India
- territorial sea:
- 12 nm
- contiguous zone:
- 24 nm
- exclusive economic zone:
- 200 nm
- continental shelf:
- 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
Japan
- territorial sea:
- 12 nm; between 3 nm and 12 nm in the international straits - La Perouse or Soya, Tsugaru, Osumi, and Eastern and Western Channels of the Korea or Tsushima Strait
- contiguous zone:
- 24 nm
- exclusive economic zone:
- 200 nm
Korea, North now North Korea
- territorial sea:
- 12 nm
- exclusive economic zone:
- 200 nm
note: military boundary line 50 nm in the Sea of Japan and the exclusive economic zone limit in the Yellow Sea where all foreign vessels and aircraft without permission are banned
Korea, South now South Korea
- territorial sea:
- 12 nm; between 3 nm and 12 nm in the Korea Strait
- contiguous zone:
- 24 nm
- exclusive economic zone:
- 200 nm
- continental shelf:
- not specified
Maldives
measured from claimed archipelagic straight baselines
- territorial sea:
- 12 nm
- contiguous zone:
- 24 nm
- exclusive economic zone:
- 200 nm
Pakistan
- territorial sea:
- 12 nm
- contiguous zone:
- 24 nm
- exclusive economic zone:
- 200 nm
- continental shelf:
- 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
Russia
- territorial sea:
- 12 nm
- contiguous zone:
- 24 nm
- exclusive economic zone:
- 200 nm
- continental shelf:
- 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation
Sri Lanka
- territorial sea:
- 12 nm
- contiguous zone:
- 24 nm
- exclusive economic zone:
- 200 nm
- continental shelf:
- 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
Central America and the Caribbean
31 entriesAntigua and Barbuda
- territorial sea:
- 12 nm
- contiguous zone:
- 24 nm
- exclusive economic zone:
- 200 nm
- continental shelf:
- 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
Belize
- territorial sea:
- 12 nm in the north, 3 nm in the south;
- note - from the mouth of the Sarstoon River to Ranguana Cay, Belize's territorial sea is 3 nm;
- according to Belize's Maritime Areas Act, 1992, the purpose of this limitation is to provide a framework for negotiating a definitive agreement on territorial differences with Guatemala
- exclusive economic zone:
- 200 nm
Dominican Republic
measured from claimed archipelagic straight baselines
- territorial sea:
- 6 nm
- contiguous zone:
- 24 nm
- exclusive economic zone:
- 200 nm
- continental shelf:
- 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
Guatemala
- territorial sea:
- 12 nm
- exclusive economic zone:
- 200 nm
- continental shelf:
- 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation
Haiti
- territorial sea:
- 12 nm
- contiguous zone:
- 24 nm
- exclusive economic zone:
- 200 nm
- continental shelf:
- to depth of exploitation
Honduras
- territorial sea:
- 12 nm
- contiguous zone:
- 24 nm
- exclusive economic zone:
- 200 nm
- continental shelf:
- natural extension of territory or to 200 nm
Jamaica
measured from claimed archipelagic straight baselines
- territorial sea:
- 12 nm
- contiguous zone:
- 24 nm
- exclusive economic zone:
- 200 nm
- continental shelf:
- 200 nm or to edge of the continental margin
Panama
- territorial sea:
- 12 nm
- contiguous zone:
- 24 nm
- exclusive economic zone:
- 200 nm or edge of continental margin
Saint Kitts and Nevis
- territorial sea:
- 12 nm
- contiguous zone:
- 24 nm
- exclusive economic zone:
- 200 nm
- continental shelf:
- 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
Saint Lucia
- territorial sea:
- 12 nm
- contiguous zone:
- 24 nm
- exclusive economic zone:
- 200 nm
- continental shelf:
- 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- territorial sea:
- 12 nm
- contiguous zone:
- 24 nm
- exclusive economic zone:
- 200 nm
- continental shelf:
- 200 nm
Trinidad and Tobago
measured from claimed archipelagic baselines
- territorial sea:
- 12 nm
- contiguous zone:
- 24 nm
- exclusive economic zone:
- 200 nm
- continental shelf:
- 200 nm or to the outer edge of the continental margin
Europe
49 entriesBelgium
- territorial sea:
- 12 nm
- contiguous zone:
- 24 nm
- exclusive economic zone:
- geographic coordinates define outer limit
- continental shelf:
- median line with neighbors
Denmark
- territorial sea:
- 12 nm
- contiguous zone:
- 24 nm
- exclusive economic zone:
- 200 nm
- continental shelf:
- 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation
Estonia
- territorial sea:
- 12 nm
- exclusive economic zone:
- limits fixed in coordination with neighboring states
Faroe Islands
- territorial sea:
- 3 nm
- continental shelf:
- 200 nm or agreed boundaries or median line
- exclusive fishing zone:
- 200 nm or agreed boundaries or median line
Finland
- territorial sea:
- 12 nm (in the Gulf of Finland - 3 nm)
- contiguous zone:
- 24 nm
- exclusive fishing zone:
- 12 nm; extends to continental shelf boundary with Sweden
- continental shelf:
- 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation
France
- territorial sea:
- 12 nm
- contiguous zone:
- 24 nm
- exclusive economic zone:
- 200 nm (does not apply to the Mediterranean)
- continental shelf:
- 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation
Germany
- territorial sea:
- 12 nm
- exclusive economic zone:
- 200 nm
- continental shelf:
- 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation
Latvia
- territorial sea:
- 12 nm
- exclusive economic zone:
- 200 nm
- continental shelf:
- 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation
Malta
- territorial sea:
- 12 nm
- contiguous zone:
- 24 nm
- continental shelf:
- 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation
- exclusive fishing zone:
- 25 nm
Norway
- territorial sea:
- 12 nm
- contiguous zone:
- 10 nm
- exclusive economic zone:
- 200 nm
- continental shelf:
- 200 nm
Portugal
- territorial sea:
- 12 nm
- contiguous zone:
- 24 nm
- exclusive economic zone:
- 200 nm
- continental shelf:
- 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation
Romania
- territorial sea:
- 12 nm
- contiguous zone:
- 24 nm
- exclusive economic zone:
- 200 nm
- continental shelf:
- 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation
Spain
- territorial sea:
- 12 nm
- contiguous zone:
- 24 nm
- exclusive economic zone:
- 200 nm (applies only to the Atlantic Ocean)
Sweden
- territorial sea:
- 12 nm (adjustments made to return a portion of straits to high seas)
- exclusive economic zone:
- agreed boundaries or midlines
- continental shelf:
- 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation
Ukraine
- territorial sea:
- 12 nm
- exclusive economic zone:
- 200 nm
- continental shelf:
- 200 m or to the depth of exploitation
United Kingdom
- territorial sea:
- 12 nm
- exclusive fishing zone:
- 200 nm
- continental shelf:
- as defined in continental shelf orders or in accordance with agreed upon boundaries
Middle East
17 entriesBahrain
- territorial sea:
- 12 nm
- contiguous zone:
- 24 nm
- continental shelf:
- extending to boundaries to be determined
Cyprus
- territorial sea:
- 12 nm
- contiguous zone:
- 24 nm
- continental shelf:
- 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation
Gaza Strip
see entry for Israel
note: effective 3 January 2009 the Gaza maritime area is closed to all maritime traffic and is under blockade imposed by Israeli Navy until further notice
Iran
- territorial sea:
- 12 nm
- contiguous zone:
- 24 nm
- exclusive economic zone:
- bilateral agreements or median lines in the Persian Gulf
- continental shelf:
- natural prolongation
Qatar
- territorial sea:
- 12 nm
- contiguous zone:
- 24 nm
- exclusive economic zone:
- as determined by bilateral agreements or the median line
Turkey now Turkiye
- territorial sea:
- 6 nm in the Aegean Sea; 12 nm in Black Sea and in Mediterranean Sea
- exclusive economic zone:
- in Black Sea only:
- to the maritime boundary agreed upon with the former USSR
United Arab Emirates
- territorial sea:
- 12 nm
- contiguous zone:
- 24 nm
- exclusive economic zone:
- 200 nm
- continental shelf:
- 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
Yemen
- territorial sea:
- 12 nm
- contiguous zone:
- 24 nm
- exclusive economic zone:
- 200 nm
- continental shelf:
- 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
North America
6 entriesCanada
- territorial sea:
- 12 nm
- contiguous zone:
- 24 nm
- exclusive economic zone:
- 200 nm
- continental shelf:
- 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
Mexico
- territorial sea:
- 12 nm
- contiguous zone:
- 24 nm
- exclusive economic zone:
- 200 nm
- continental shelf:
- 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
United States
- territorial sea:
- 12 nm
- contiguous zone:
- 24 nm
- exclusive economic zone:
- 200 nm
- continental shelf:
- not specified
Oceania
28 entriesAustralia
- territorial sea:
- 12 nm
- contiguous zone:
- 24 nm
- exclusive economic zone:
- 200 nm
- continental shelf:
- 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
Cook Islands
- territorial sea:
- 12 nm
- exclusive economic zone:
- 200 nm
- continental shelf:
- 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
Fiji
measured from claimed archipelagic straight baselines
- territorial sea:
- 12 nm
- exclusive economic zone:
- 200 nm
- continental shelf:
- 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation; rectilinear shelf claim added
Micronesia, Federated States of now Federated States of Micronesia
- territorial sea:
- 12 nm
- exclusive economic zone:
- 200 nm
New Zealand
- territorial sea:
- 12 nm
- contiguous zone:
- 24 nm
- exclusive economic zone:
- 200 nm
- continental shelf:
- 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
Papua New Guinea
measured from claimed archipelagic baselines
- territorial sea:
- 12 nm
- continental shelf:
- 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation
- exclusive fishing zone:
- 200 nm
Solomon Islands
measured from claimed archipelagic baselines
- territorial sea:
- 12 nm
- exclusive economic zone:
- 200 nm
- continental shelf:
- 200 nm
Tonga
- territorial sea:
- 12 nm
- exclusive economic zone:
- 200 nm
- continental shelf:
- 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation
Vanuatu
measured from claimed archipelagic baselines
- territorial sea:
- 12 nm
- contiguous zone:
- 24 nm
- exclusive economic zone:
- 200 nm
- continental shelf:
- 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
South America
13 entriesArgentina
- territorial sea:
- 12 nm
- contiguous zone:
- 24 nm
- exclusive economic zone:
- 200 nm
- continental shelf:
- 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
Brazil
- territorial sea:
- 12 nm
- contiguous zone:
- 24 nm
- exclusive economic zone:
- 200 nm
- continental shelf:
- 200 nm or to edge of the continental margin
Chile
- territorial sea:
- 12 nm
- contiguous zone:
- 24 nm
- exclusive economic zone:
- 200 nm
- continental shelf:
- 200/350 nm
Colombia
- territorial sea:
- 12 nm
- exclusive economic zone:
- 200 nm
- continental shelf:
- 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation
Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
- territorial sea:
- 12 nm
- continental shelf:
- 200 nm
- exclusive fishing zone:
- 200 nm
Guyana
- territorial sea:
- 12 nm
- exclusive economic zone:
- 200 nm
- continental shelf:
- 200 nm or to the outer edge of the continental margin
Uruguay
- territorial sea:
- 12 nm
- contiguous zone:
- 24 nm
- exclusive economic zone:
- 200 nm
- continental shelf:
- 200 nm or edge of continental margin
Venezuela
- territorial sea:
- 12 nm
- contiguous zone:
- 15 nm
- exclusive economic zone:
- 200 nm
- continental shelf:
- 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation
Southeast Asia
19 entriesAshmore and Cartier Islands
- territorial sea:
- 12 nm
- contiguous zone:
- 12 nm
- exclusive fishing zone:
- 200 nm
- continental shelf:
- 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation
Burma now Burma (Myanmar)
- territorial sea:
- 12 nm
- contiguous zone:
- 24 nm
- exclusive economic zone:
- 200 nm
- continental shelf:
- 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
Cambodia
- territorial sea:
- 12 nm
- contiguous zone:
- 24 nm
- exclusive economic zone:
- 200 nm
- continental shelf:
- 200 nm
Indonesia
measured from claimed archipelagic straight baselines
- territorial sea:
- 12 nm
- exclusive economic zone:
- 200 nm
Malaysia
- territorial sea:
- 12 nm
- exclusive economic zone:
- 200 nm
- continental shelf:
- 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation; specified boundary in the South China Sea
Philippines
- territorial sea:
- irregular polygon extending up to 100 nm from coastline as defined by 1898 treaty;
- since late 1970s has also claimed polygonal-shaped area in South China Sea up to 285 nm in breadth
- exclusive economic zone:
- 200 nm
- continental shelf:
- to depth of exploitation
Singapore
- territorial sea:
- 3 nm
- exclusive fishing zone:
- within and beyond territorial sea, as defined in treaties and practice
Thailand
- territorial sea:
- 12 nm
- exclusive economic zone:
- 200 nm
- continental shelf:
- 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation
Vietnam
- territorial sea:
- 12 nm
- contiguous zone:
- 24 nm
- exclusive economic zone:
- 200 nm
- continental shelf:
- 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
Cite this page
Central Intelligence Agency. The World Factbook 2012, “Maritime claims”, all entries. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/fields/maritime-claims/2012.