UNCLOS sets the maximum width of a State’s territorial sea at 12 nautical miles, with a contiguous zone at 24 nautical miles from the baseline.
It defines innocent passage through the territorial sea and defines transit passage through international straits. It defines archipelagic States and allows for passage through archipelagic waters. It establishes exclusive economic zones (EEZs) extending to 200 nautical miles from baselines. It defines the continental shelf and extends jurisdiction over the resources of the shelf beyond 200 miles where appropriate. It also defines the legal status of the high seas, defines piracy, and establishes regulations for the control of marine pollution.
