United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)

Territorial Waters: This refers to the area of sea up to 12 nautical miles from a country's coastline, over which it has sovereignty.

Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ): An EEZ extends 200 nautical miles from a country's coast. Within this zone, the coastal nation has special rights to explore and use marine resources.

Continental Shelf: This is an underwater landmass that extends from a continent, leading to deep parts of the ocean floor. Countries have rights to resources on their continental shelf even if it extends beyond their EEZ.