Territorial dispute

A territorial dispute is a disagreement over the possession/control of land between two or more states, or over the possession/control of land by one state after it has conquered it from a former state no longer currently recognized by the occupying power.

These disputes are often related to the possession of natural resources such as rivers, fertile farmland, mineral or oil resources, although the disputes can also be driven by culture, religion and ethnic nationalism. In many cases territorial disputes result from vague and unclear language in a treaty that set up the original boundary.

Territorial disputes are a major cause of wars and terrorism, as states often try to assert their real, or imagined, sovereignty over a territory through invasion, and non-state entities try to influence the actions of politicians through terrorism. In addition, international law does not recognize the right of states to use force to annex non-disputed territory but allows states to use force to resolve a territorial dispute.

In some causes such as the Askai Chin[?], the Taiwan straits[?], and Kashmir, both sides will define a line of control that serves as a de-facto international border. Although these lines are often clearly demarcated, they do not have the legitimacy of an agreed international boundary.

The term occupied territories in general refers to regions distinct from the recognized territory of a sovereign state but which it controls, especially with military forces. Since the latter part of the 20th century, the unqualified term "occupied territories" has come to refer specifically to the West Bank and Gaza strip, whose status is hotly disputed (see occupied Palestinian territories).

A partial list of disputed territories and claimants

• Kashmir: India and Pakistan
• unknown: Ecuador and Peru
• Hala'ib Triangle: Egypt and Sudan
• Isla Perejil: Morocco and Spain
• Gibraltar: United Kingdom and Spain
• Kurile Islands: Japan and Russia
• West Bank and Gaza: Israel and the Palestinians
• Taiwan: People's Republic of China and Republic of China
• Aksai Chin: China and India
• Spratly Islands: Various claimants
• Strip of land between Germany and Poland
• Strip of land between Germany and France
• Golan Heights: Syria and Israel
• Western Sahara: Morocco and Polisario
• Northern Cyprus: Republic of Cyprus and Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus[?]
• Tibet: People's Republic of China and Government of Tibet in Exile
• South-East Turkey: Republic of Turkey and the Kurdistan Workers Party
• Northern Iraq: Republic of Iraq and the PUK and KDP

See also: Occupied territories - ethnic cleansing - romantic nationalism - Sudetenland - Lebensraum