The US has jurisdiction over the largest area of ocean, with state waters extending three miles from the coast, followed by sovereign territory for nine miles and an Exclusive Economic Zone for 200 nautical miles. UNCLOS governs international water and historically, jurisdiction was determined by cannon range.
The United States of America has jurisdiction over 4,382,646 square miles (11.4 million square kilometers) of ocean, which is more than any other country. The first three miles off a nation’s coast are considered state waters. The next nine miles are sovereign territory, although the passage of military and civilian vessels of other nations is permitted. Beyond that, stretching 200 nautical miles off the coast, is the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). The EEZ is where a country has control over resources and affairs in the ocean, including fishing and natural resource extraction.
Read more about ocean jurisdiction:
The United States has jurisdiction over more ocean (4.4 million square miles or 11.4 million square kilometers) than land (3.8 million square miles or 9.8 million square kilometers).
The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) treaty establishing international governance of water around the world is one of the longest treaties ever written.
In the 18th century, nations determined jurisdiction over water based on how far from the coast a cannon could be fired, which in those days was three nautical miles.
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