Download AP Human Geography - GonzalesatBerthoud

AP Human Geography
Political Geography: Maritime Law
Median-line Principle
For the past two decades, the UNCLOS III Treaty’s provisions have been generally adopted in
international relations between countries. Effects of the 200-mile EEZ on the high seas include huge areas
of ocean being assigned to coastal countries, even if those countries are just little specks of islands. But
what happens when countries lie closer than 400 nautical miles to each other, so that neither can have the
full 200 mile EEZ? For example, the Caribbean, Baltic, North, and Mediterranean Seas all experience an
“overlap.” In cases such as this, the median-line principle takes effect.
Median-line principle: States on the opposite coasts divide the waters separating them, creating an
intricate system of maritime boundaries. Often times these boundaries cross resource-rich areas (e.g.:
North Sea between Norway and Britain) and allocational boundary disputes may arise.
The South China Sea is particularly problematic as far as a maritime region. Look at the map below (and
the color slide of the map on the overhead) and identify potential boundary dispute areas. Also identify the
countries that may come into conflict is specific areas. (The black line shows China’s share of the South
China Sea based on its possession of numerous small islands there including the Parcels. The red line
represents China’s published claims to the region, based on “historic” association with it.)