The Maritime Political Boundaries of the World

This book addresses the often vexed question of national maritime claims and the delimitation of international maritime boundaries. The number of undelimited international maritime boundaries is much larger than the number of agreed lines. The two boundaries that define the marine domain of coastal states are examined. First the baselines along the coast may consist of low-water lines or straight lines or a combination of both. When straight lines are used they define the seaward limit of the state's internal waters. Second the outer limits of claims to territorial seas, contiguous zones and exclusive economic zones are measured from the baselines. All states will have to delimit at least one international boundary with a neighbouring state, whether adjacent or opposite. In confined seas no state can claim the full entitlement and must negotiate international boundaries with all neighbours. Many states bordering oceans can claim the full entitlement seawards, although they will need to delimit national boundaries with adjacent neighbours.

Review:

Praise for the first edition: ' This may well be the best of Prescott's many books in political geography. It deals with a major world issue, it is current, well researched, thorough, and well written. It is the first practical treatise on the subject to appear since the adoption of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.[] This work is likely to remain a valuable resource for many years.'M.I. Glassner, Choice, 1986.' In this book J.R.V. Prescott, a geographer at the University of Melbourne, has provided his readers with a comprehensive picture of the state of the maritime boundaries of the world, at a time when there is strong pressure to extend state control. Naturally, this process entails plenty of international wrangling. This is not a book to be 'enjoyed', or even read through in large chunks, but it is a very useful reference book for anyone interested in maritime affairs.'Ken Booth, International Affairs, 1986.