State Territory

a part of the globe that is under the sovereignty of a particular state. The state territory includes the land (all the dry land within the state boundaries), the waters (both inland and territorial), and the air space over both the land and the waters (the troposphere, stratosphere, ionosphere, and a considerable part of adjacent outer space). The mineral wealth located under both land and sea within this territory is the property of the particular state as far down as is technically feasible.

Within its territory a state has territorial supremacy (that is, the highest and exclusive authority), which constitutes an organic part of state sovereignty.

Modern international law forbids the forcible seizure of foreign territory, the violation of state boundaries, and the use of the territory of any state without its consent. The principle of territorial integrity and inviolability is established in modern international law, which allows for changes in the boundaries of state territory only in strictly defined cases. A change in boundaries carried out on the basis of the principle of self-determination of peoples and nations is considered legal. International law also recognizes the exchange, transfer, or concession of state territory that is carried out voluntarily and in the interests of promoting peaceful neighborly relations between states.

All territorial disputes between states should be resolved by peaceful means.