The Territorial Seas extend from base lines seaward to how many nautical miles?

The Territorial Seas extend from base lines seaward to how many nautical miles?

• A. 12 nautical miles
• B. 24 nautical miles
• C. 200 nautical miles
• D. 0 nautical miles

Answer: (B)

The main idea is how far a coastal state’s authority reaches from its baseline in the sea. The territorial sea extends seaward from the baseline to twelve nautical miles. Within this belt, the state has sovereignty similar to its land territory, though foreign ships may pass through landward with the right of innocent passage. Beyond twelve miles up to twenty-four miles lies the contiguous zone, where the state can enforce laws related to customs, immigration, and sanitary measures. Farther out, up to two hundred nautical miles, is the exclusive economic zone with rights to resources, while foreign vessels may still enjoy innocent passage. So, the territorial sea limit is twelve nautical miles, not twenty-four.

The main idea is how far a coastal state’s authority reaches from its baseline in the sea. The territorial sea extends seaward from the baseline to twelve nautical miles. Within this belt, the state has sovereignty similar to its land territory, though foreign ships may pass through landward with the right of innocent passage. Beyond twelve miles up to twenty-four miles lies the contiguous zone, where the state can enforce laws related to customs, immigration, and sanitary measures. Farther out, up to two hundred nautical miles, is the exclusive economic zone with rights to resources, while foreign vessels may still enjoy innocent passage. So, the territorial sea limit is twelve nautical miles, not twenty-four.