USA recently expanded its territory by 386,000 square miles (6.21 lakh square kilometres), marking a significant development. This growth was attributed to the Department of State (DOS) incorporating submerged offshore areas, known as the extended continental shelf (ECS), from six regions. The ECS refers to the continental shelf area under shallow water, extending beyond 200 nautical miles.

One of the prominent additions to the US landmass is the Arctic, spanning 350 miles (612 km) to the north and over 680 miles (1,094 km) in the western region. The Arctic ECS area holds strategic importance, as mentioned by the US Geological Survey (USGS), containing valuable resources and essential habitats for marine life.

USA

The newly acquired ECS comprises six additional regions, including the Atlantic east coast, the Pacific west coast, the Bering Sea, the Mariana Islands, and two sections of the Gulf of Mexico. The State Department emphasized that, like other nations, the United States has international rights to manage and preserve resources and habitats within its ECS under international law.

The extent of the added land area is nearly twice the size of Spain, providing a tangible sense of the scale of this territorial expansion. The Wilson Centre, a Washington, DC-based think tank, emphasized the far-reaching implications of the ECS extension, particularly in safeguarding US territorial rights in the Arctic region.

According to the Wilson Centre, the United States possesses significant economic interests in the newly acquired undersea territory. Rich in oil, natural gas, minerals, and marine life, these resources fall under sovereign rights granted by the Law of the Sea Convention. The think tank highlighted the importance of the US engagement with international law, specifically the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, and how this extension aligns with major US interests in the Arctic and other regions.

Moreover, the United States boasts the largest exclusive economic zone globally, contributing to the protection of sovereign rights in submerged areas. This expansion is seen as a crucial milestone in reinforcing the US commitment to the Law of the Sea and advancing its strategic interests.

The decision to extend the ECS was based on a comprehensive analysis of data collected by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the US Geological Survey (USGS). This scientific approach underscores the importance of accurate information in making informed decisions regarding territorial boundaries and resource management.

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