Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
Figure 14-5 a
and b:
The Ru-
maila Oil Field
and
Georges
Bank
Sometimesresourcedisputesareresolvedamicablybydirectdiscussionbetweenthepartiesinvolved,
or with the assistance of an organization with which both are affiliated — like the UN or NATO.
Sometimes the case literally goes to court — the International Court of Justice, that is. The dispute
between the U.S. and Canada over the Georges Bank was settled in that manner. On the other hand,
sometimes the problem simply festers or is resolved by armed conflict. Thus, resource disputes have
diverse outcomes — some peaceful, some not.
Land-locked states
A
land-locked state
is a country that is completely surrounded by land that belongs to one or
more neighboring countries. Thus, it has no port of its own and therefore no immediate access
to international waterways. Three dozen land-locked states are located throughout the world,
including about a dozen each in Africa and Asia, two in South America, and the rest in Europe
(see Figure 14-6). At least three potential problems emerge from this status.
Figure 14-6:
The
world's land-
locked states.
