Countries have always claimed at least 12 nautical miles of offshore water as part of their territorial sea.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Historically, the breadth of territorial sea claimed by countries varied, with a common standard of 3 nautical miles emerging in the 18th century, based on the range of cannon shot. The 12 nautical mile limit was established as a widely accepted norm only after the 20th century, particularly with the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

Countries Have Always Claimed at Least 12 Nautical Miles of Offshore