Territorial dispute
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A territorial dispute is a disagreement over the possession/control of land between two or more states, or over the possession/control of land by one state after it has conquered it from a former state no longer currently recognized by the occupying power.
These disputes are often related to the possession of natural resources such as rivers, fertile farmland, mineral or oil resources, although the disputes can also be driven by culture, religion and ethnic nationalism. In many cases territorial disputes result from vague and unclear language in a treaty that set up the original boundary.
Territorial disputes are a major cause of wars and terrorism, as states often try to assert their real, or imagined, sovereignty over a territory through invasion, and non-state entities try to influence the actions of politicians through terrorism. International law does not support the use force by one state to annex the territory of another state. The UN Charter (http://www.un.org/aboutun/charter/chapter1.htm) says: "All Members shall refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state, or in any other manner inconsistent with the Purposes of the United Nations."
In some causes such as the Aksai Chin, the Taiwan straits, and Kashmir, both sides will define a line of control that serves as a de-facto international border. Although these lines are often clearly demarcated, they do not have the legitimacy of an agreed international boundary.
The term occupied territories in general refers to regions distinct from the recognized territory of a sovereign state but which it controls, especially with military forces. Since the latter part of the 20th century, the unqualified term "occupied territories" has come to refer specifically to the West Bank and Gaza strip, whose status is hotly disputed (see occupied Palestinian territories).
Current territorial disputes
Full control indicated in bold, partial control indicated in italics.
Disputes involving states that recognize each other
- Aksai Chin: People's Republic of China and India
- Arunachal Pradesh: People's Republic of China and India
- Badme: Eritrea and Ethiopia
- Ceuta: Spain and Morocco
- Falkland Islands: United Kingdom and Argentina
- French Guiana west of the Marouini River: Suriname, France
- Gibraltar: United Kingdom and Spain
- Golan Heights: Syria and Israel
- Guyana east of the Upper Courantyne River: Suriname, Guyana
- Guyana west of the Essequibo River: Venezuela, Guyana
- Hans Island: Canada and Denmark
- Hala'ib Triangle: Egypt and Sudan
- Isla Perejil: Morocco and Spain
- Kashmir: India and Pakistan
- Korea: North Korea and South Korea
- Lower Kurile Islands: Japan and Russia
- Liancourt Rocks: Japan, South Korea and North Korea
- Mayotte: France and Comoros
- Melilla: Spain and Morocco
- Olivenza: Spain and Portugal
- Paracel Islands: People's Republic of China, Republic of China, Vietnam
- Pedra Branca: Singapore and Malaysia
- Sabah (North Borneo): Philippines and Malaysia
- Senkaku Islands: Japan, People's Republic of China and Republic of China
- Snake Island: Ukraine and Romania
- Spratly Islands: People's Republic of China, Republic of China, Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei
- Vozrozhdeniya Island (see Aral Sea) : Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan
Disputes between a state and its subnational entities, or between subnational entities
Disputes involving parties that each have some territory under control but do not recognize each other
- Abkhazia: Georgia and Republic of Abkhazia
- Northern Cyprus: Republic of Cyprus and Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus
- Nagorno-Karabakh: Nagorno-Karabakh Republic and Azerbaijan
- South Ossetia: Georgia and Republic of South Ossetia
- mainland China: Republic of China and People's Republic of China
- Puntland: Somalia and Puntland
- Somaliland: Somalia and Somaliland
- Taiwan, Quemoy, Matsu Islands, Pratas Islands: Republic of China and People's Republic of China
- Transnistria: Moldova and Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic
- Western Sahara: Morocco and Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic
- West Bank and Gaza Strip: Israel and the Palestinian National Authority
Disputes between a state and a secessionist group with no territorial control
See List of active autonomist and secessionist movements