territory

Territory is a defined geographic area under the jurisdiction of a government or authority. It can include land, internal waters, territorial seas, airspace, and related zones recognized under international law. Territory embodies both the physical space and the legal authority to exercise sovereignty, governance, and exclusive rights to resources within its bounds.

Borders establish where this authority begins and ends. They may be established by treaties, natural features, war, colonization, or decolonization, and can be disputed or unresolved. When borders are contested, the status of the territory may be described as disputed, claimed, or occupied, and claims can be resolved through negotiation, adjudication, or conflict.

Within a state, territory can be structured into major administrative divisions, such as provinces, states, or municipalities. Some territories are fully sovereign states; others are dependent territories or colonies that have varying degrees of internal autonomy but remain under a metropolitan or sovereign authority. There are also uninhabited or sparsely populated territories, often included for strategic, scientific, or resource reasons.

International law recognizes sovereignty over territory and the principle of territorial integrity, which discourages acquisition by force and seeks peaceful border adjustment. Territorial disputes have involved issues such as resource rights, demarcation, and control over strategic passages, and they remain a prominent aspect of international relations.