Teritoriul

Teritoriul is the Romanian term for territory. The definite form teritoriul is used when referring to a specific territory, as in “the territory.” In a broad sense, teritoriul denotes the geographic space over which a political unit holds sovereignty or jurisdiction. The concept is central to political geography and international law.

Typically, the territory includes land and internal waters, the territorial sea, and the airspace above them, together with the subsoil and the natural resources found there. In contemporary law, it can also extend through adjacent maritime zones defined by international agreements, such as the continental shelf and the exclusive economic zone. Boundaries and the exact extent are determined by constitutions, treaties, and adjudication.

Sovereignty over teritoriul implies the power to legislate, govern, and defend within its borders, and to enforce laws and administer resources. International law recognizes territorial integrity as a basic principle and generally prohibits the acquisition of territory by force. When borders are contested, they are commonly resolved through negotiation, mediation, arbitration, or judicial settlement, under instruments such as the United Nations Charter and UNCLOS for maritime areas.

Historical changes to territory occur through treaties, wars, decolonization, or political arrangements that redefine jurisdiction. Some territories may have special status—autonomous regions, dependencies, or disputed zones—that modify but do not erase overarching sovereignty. The notion of teritoriul also evolves with global considerations, including cyberspace and other non-physical spaces, which raise questions about jurisdiction and governance beyond geographic borders.