Line types
The table below defines each line type in the EEZ boundaries dataset.
| Line type | Description |
|---|---|
| Archipelagic baseline | Baselines in Archipelagic Waters established by a state, sourced from the United Nations' DOALOS repository (see UNCLOS part IV, article 47). |
| Normal baseline (official) | The official normal baseline provided by a state (see UNCLOS part II, article 5). |
| Straight baseline | The straight baseline provided by a state, sourced from the United Nations' DOALOS repository (see UNCLOS part II, article 7). |
| 12 NM | Outer limit of the 12 NM zone, as provided by an external source. |
| 200 NM | Line calculated at a distance of 200 NM from straight, normal, or archipelagic baselines. |
| Median line | A line, known as the median line, is calculated as the boundary when boundaries are not defined by a treaty or agreement between coastal states. The median line connects points equidistant from the coastlines or baselines of both coastal states. |
| Treaty | A division line defined by a treaty or agreement between two or more coastal states, sourced from the United Nations' DOALOS repository. |
| Court ruling | A line representing a decision made by an international court or tribunal. |
| Joint regime | A line delineating joint regimes, geographical areas delimited by agreement between two or more coastal states with specific arrangements in relation to the exploration and exploitation of natural marine resources. Sourced from the United Nations' DOALOS repository. |
| Unilateral claim (undisputed) | An EEZ boundary defined by one state that is uncontested by another state. |
| Unsettled (maritime) | A line used in cases where the unsettled status is purely maritime in nature and (1) where a maritime boundary is being claimed by one state by means of a map or coordinates in an official document, but the matter is being contested by its neighbour/contradictory to claims made by its neighbours/unresolved in any other way, or (2) as the boundary between an overlapping claim and the high seas. |
| Unsettled (land) | A line used in cases where the unsettled status concerns sovereignty over land and (1) where a maritime boundary is being claimed by one state by means of a map or coordinates in an official document, but the matter is being contested by its neighbour/contradictory to claims made by its neighbours/unresolved in any other way, or (2) as the boundary between an overlapping claim and the high seas. |
| Unsettled median line (maritime) | A median line calculated by VLIZ in cases where the unsettled status is purely maritime in nature and no map or coordinates are provided. |
| Unsettled median line (land) | A median line calculated by VLIZ in cases where the unsettled status concerns sovereignty over land and no map or coordinates are provided. |
| Connection line | A line added to bridge gaps between different types of lines (e.g. a median line to a treaty line). |
