Question

the united nations convention on the law of the sea sets the limit of the exclusive economic zone at 200 nautical miles from a country’s coastline. in cases where countries are less than 400 nautical miles apart, which of the following explains how the exclusive economic zone boundary is determined for each country?
a both countries will state their case to the united nations during a hearing of the security council.
b both countries will follow the median - line principle.
c both countries will share all of the water area.
d neither country can claim the area as an exclusive economic zone because the area is considered international water.
e both countries will receive additional territory on land to compensate for the smaller exclusive economic zone.

Explanation:

The question is about the determination of exclusive economic zone boundaries between countries less than 400 nautical miles apart. The median - line principle is a recognized method in international law for delimiting maritime boundaries (including exclusive economic zones) between neighboring states when their territorial seas or exclusive economic zones overlap. Option A is incorrect as the UN Security Council is not the body for such maritime boundary hearings. Option C is incorrect as countries don't just "choose all the water areas". Option D is incorrect as the area between them can be part of their exclusive economic zones (not just international water). Option E is incorrect as the 200 - nautical - mile limit is the general limit, but when countries are closer, the median - line principle applies. So the correct option is B.

Answer:

B. Both countries will follow the median - line principle.