The Evolution and Creation of: BOUNDARIES

Types of Political Boundaries Geometric-straight-line boundaries that do not relate to the cultural or physical features of the territories involved.

Types of Political Boundaries (cont.) Physical (natural)-separate territory according to natural features in the landscape.

Types of Political Boundaries (cont.) Cultural political boundaries-mark changes in the cultural landscape, such as boundaries that divide territories according to religion or language.

Frontiers: Regions where boundaries are very thinly or weakly developed, or zones where territoriality is unclear and not well established. Fig. 8-8: Several states in the Arabian Peninsula are separated by frontiers rather than precise boundaries.

Coastal Waters The use of water as boundaries between states can cause difficulties. Ocean boundaries also cause problems because states generally claim that the boundary lies not at the coastline but out at sea. The reasons are for defense and for control of valuable fishing industries.

Law of the Sea UN Conference on the Law of the Seas (UNCLOS) established oceanic boundaries for all UN member states in 1994. Part 1: Sovereign territory includes the area of sea from shore out to the 12 nautical-mile limit (within this area all laws of the owning country apply). Part 2: Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ): Exclusive economic rights from shore out to the 200 nautical-mile limit. Within 200 nautical miles of its shores a state controls all aspects of natural resource exploration and extraction. This includes fishing, oil and gas production, etc…

Map of EEZ Boundaries

Boundary Evolution Antecedent boundaries: existed before human cultures developed in current form. Subsequent boundaries: grow to divide space as a result of human interaction and negotiations after settlement has occurred. Superimposed boundaries: are forcibly put on the landscape by outside parties, such as invaders or an organization such as the UN. Relict boundaries: No longer function as a boundary, but only as a reminder of a line that once divided space.

Boundary Creation Definition: the exact location I legally described and negotiated. Delimitation: is the step when the boundary’s definition is drawn onto a map. Demarcation: the visible marking of a boundary on the landscape with a fence, sign, wall, or other means. Administration: the enforcement by a government of people of the boundary that has been created.

Types of Boundary Disputes 1. Definitional: fights over the language of the border agreement in a treaty or boundary contract. Ex: Japan and Russia have still not agreed on the definition of territorial boundaries surrounding islands north of Japan.

Types of Boundary Disputes (cont.) 2. Locational: occur when the conflicting parties agree on the definition but not on where the boundary exists on the Earth or the map. Ex:

Types of Boundary Disputes (cont.) 3. Operational: conflicts over the way a boundary should operate or function, such as if migration should be allowed across the border.

Types of Boundary Disputes (cont.) 4. Allocational: fights over resources that may not be divided by the border, such as natural gas reserves beneath the soil.