The Law of the Sea is an international law governing rights and responsibilities with respect to oceans including navigation rights, sea mineral claims, economic jurisdictions, legal status of resources on seabed beyond national jurisdiction, etc.
The Law of the Sea is like the rules in a community swimming pool. Everyone can swim, but there are certain areas where only specific people (like lifeguards or instructors) have rights to use.
Territorial Waters: The waters under the jurisdiction of a state extending 12 nautical miles from its coast.
Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ): An area from the edge of territorial sea out to 200 nautical miles from its coast within which a coastal nation has sole exploitation rights over all natural resources.
High Seas: Areas of sea where no country has sovereignty, typically beyond 200 nautical miles from the coast. They are open to all states, whether coastal or land-locked.
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