January 12th 2024.
In a momentous announcement made by the Department of State in December, the United States proudly revealed that its extended continental shelf had expanded by a whopping 386,000 square miles beneath the ocean's surface. This significant growth can be attributed to the shift in America's geographic coordinates that define the outer limits of its continental shelf, which now extend beyond 200 nautical miles from the coast.
According to the State Department, the extended continental shelf refers to the area of the continental shelf that lies under shallow water. It was further revealed that the largest ECS area for the US is located in the Arctic, stretching 350 nautical miles to the north in the eastern section and over 680 nautical miles in the western portion. This momentous news was shared with the public on December 19.
In light of this development, the State Department emphasized that the United States, like other countries, has a rightful claim to the resources and vital habitats present within its extended continental shelf. These resources include corals, crabs, and other marine life that call this area their home. It was also stated that there is no need for future negotiations with Russia regarding territorial rights, as the US has already established its boundaries in accordance with international law.
Apart from the Arctic, the US's extended continental shelf also encompasses six other regions, namely the Atlantic east coast, the Pacific west coast, the Bering Sea, the Mariana Islands, and two portions of the Gulf of Mexico. In total, the US's ECS area is twice the size of California, solidifying its position as the country with the largest exclusive economic zone in the world.
The Wilson Center, a think tank based in Washington, DC, weighed in on the significance of this expansion. They stated that it has always been evident that the United States has a vested interest in the undersea territory, which is rich in oil, natural gas, minerals, and sea life. With this extension, the US is now able to exercise its sovereign rights over these valuable resources, as recognized by the Law of the Sea Convention.
Furthermore, the Wilson Center stressed that the US's extended continental shelf is a crucial milestone in its engagement with international law, specifically the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. This development also serves as an important aspect of advancing the country's interests in not just the Arctic but also other regions.
It is worth noting that the Wilson Center also stated that there is no need for further negotiations with Russia over territorial rights, as both countries have already delineated their continental shelf limits in accordance with a 1990 agreement on the Maritime Boundary. The State Department utilized various methods to measure the growth of the US's ECS, including analyzing depth, shape, and other geophysical features found underwater. This data has been collected and studied by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the US Geological Survey since 2003.
In conclusion, the United States has made a significant stride in asserting its territorial rights over its extended continental shelf, which now encompasses various regions and valuable resources. This development not only showcases the country's engagement with international law but also solidifies its position as a major player in the Arctic and other regions.
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