How are Boundaries Established, and Why do Boundary Disputes Occur? Chapter 8 Section 3 Text pages 242-245 How are Boundaries Established, and Why do Boundary Disputes Occur?

Boundaries In regards to states, a vertical plane, above and below ground, dividing one state from another Go underground Why would a boundary go underground? Extend into airspace above Atmosphere above a state’s land area Should space be covered by airspace?

U.N. International Boundaries UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea) A code of maritime law approved by the United Nations in 1982 that authorizes territorial waters extending 12 nautical miles from shore and 200-nautical-mile-wide exclusive economic zones. Median-line principle when there is not enough water for each country on opposite sides of the sea to have 200 nautical miles of exclusive economic zone, the two or more countries involved will divide the water evenly EEZ (Exclusive Economic Zone) a state has special rights regarding the exploration and use of marine resources, including energy production from water and wind. Global Commons Is that which no one person or state may own or control and which is central to life. Ex.: Forests, oceans, North and South Poles, deep oceans, atmosphere and space, and cyberspace

Establishing Boundaries Defining Boundaries Treaty-like document describing actual points of boundaries Delimiting Boundaries Cartographers draw out boundaries on a map Demarcating Boundaries Either or both states can put in steel posts, pillars, fences, walls, or other structures along the border Administrate Boundaries Determining how boundaries are maintained and what and who will be able to cross it

Types of International Boundaries

Types of International Boundaries Antecedent Boundaries boundary that was created before the present day cultural landscape developed, i.e., Malaysia/Indonesia on the island of Borneo. Superimposed Boundaries boundary that has been forced upon the inhabitants of an area to solve a problem and/or conflict, i.e., Indonesia/Papua New Guinea.  Relict Boundaries boundary that ceases to exist, however the imprint of the boundary still remains on the cultural landscape, i.e., North/South Vietnam. 

Types of Boundaries Geometric Boundaries Physical-Political Boundaries Boundaries made with grid systems (lines of longitude and latitude, etc.) Physical-Political Boundaries Boundaries which follow an agreed upon physical feature in the physical landscape (Mountain, river, etc.) What problem might arise from this?

Territorial Morphology The boundaries of a country and the shape of the land that it encompasses Compact Fragmented Elongated Prorupted Perforated Enclave Exclave

Compact A compact shaped state is small and centralized. This type of state is the simplest to manage, since the government is close to all portions of the state. The compact form helps to keep the country together by making communications easier within it. In addition, compact states are much easier to defend than states of other shapes. However, compact states are primarily small in size, and therefore may not have as many natural resources as larger states have. A perfect example of a compact state would be Poland.

Fragmented A state that is separated by a physical or human barrier. This creates several problems for the country. Many portions of the state are separated by oceans, lakes, and mountains. It is difficult to govern such a country composed of islands, such as Indonesia. In addition, communication is difficult within the state; since portions are separated form the main part of the country.

Elongated An elongated shaped state is long and narrow. This type of state also has many disadvantages. For example, they are difficult to defend. An elongated state, such as Chile, makes for difficult governance of the peripheral areas in the north and south. However, an elongated state encompasses a variety of landscapes.

Prorupted A prorupted state has a long extension, or an extended arm of territory. This protrusion gives the state several advantages. For example, the state gets easy access to the coast and the local resources around it. In addition, prorupted states are also able to prevent a rival access. An example of a prorupted state would be Thailand.

Perforated A perforated state completely surrounds another. A classic example would be South Africa since it surrounds Lesotho. The surrounded nation can only be reached by going through one country. More problems can arise if there is hostility between the two nations. This makes it difficult to enter the surrounding nation.

Enclave A country or part of a country that is surrounded by another. However, an enclave does not have political affinity to the surrounding state. Also, an enclave does not belong to another country. For example, the Vatican City is an enclave of Rome. The Vatican City has its own government and is independent from Rome and Italy. Therefore, it is not bound by the rules of Rome, as well as the rules of Italy. An enclave is the country inside, a perforated state is the country on the outside

Exclave An exclave is part of a country that is or almost completely separated from the main part of the country. Alaska is an example of an exclave. Although it is separated from the US, it shares boundaries with Canada. Another example is Hawaii, which is completely separated from the US by the Pacific Ocean.

Boundary Disputes FUN FACT! FOUR main types of boundary disputes Sometimes people disagree FOUR main types of boundary disputes Definitional boundary disputes Locational boundary disputes Operational boundary disputes Allocational boundary disputes Multiple types may apply to a single scenario

Definitional Boundary Disputes Disputes over the Legal language and definition of a boundary Boundary may be defined ambiguously Political shifts may shift understandings of boundaries Halai’ib Triangle (Egypt and Sudan Boundary may be set with relative location What do relative locations do? CHANGE! (Rivers move, land erodes, etc.)

Locational Boundary Disputes Disputes over the way boundaries are deliminated or demarcated If a map boundary or demarcation is in dispute because it was based off the vagueness of definition

Operational Boundary Disputes Disputes over the lack of a defined boundary There is no definition of a boundary between states

Allocational Boundary Disputes Disputes over the: allocation of resources found on the border of states Water, oil, coal, natural gas, etc.