It is very difficult to change the map of any country in the world today. Either two countries claim a part of the land and when their dispute is resolved, the map changes. Recently America has changed its map. For this, neither has its border dispute with any country been resolved nor has it occupied any country. But in the new map America’s land has increased by 10 lakh square kilometers. For this, the help of 20 years old international law regarding maritime land has been taken.
Alaska’s size increased by 60 percent
America has recently taken a historic step and officially increased its geographical area by one million square kilometers. With this increase, the size of Alaska has now increased by 60 percent compared to its previous size. Using international laws, the US State Department has included areas under the sea as land.
Changes caused by continental shelf boundary
America’s continental shelf boundaries are being cited as the reason behind the expansion of the area. Continental shelf is the area which is called the shallow bottom of the sea. It is being claimed that this area has increased. More than half of this area is said to be of the Arctic region.
In the new map, the area of Alaska has increased by 60 percent. (Symbolic photo: Canva)Other countries have done this
The extended continental shelf is the real reason for this change. Under international law, countries with coastal areas can lay claim to these extended areas, which gives them the legal right to use the resources of this area. America is not the only country to do this, more than 75 countries have done this before.
In this matter, America’s NOAA and the US Geological Survey started working in 2003 and a new map could be prepared on December 19. Apart from the Arctic, it includes the Eastern Atlantic, Marina Island, Bering Sea and two areas of the Gulf of Mexico. The US government claims that as per the agreement with Russia, there has been no encroachment on any of its areas.
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FIRST PUBLISHED: January 22, 2024, 16:43 IST
