INLAND WATERS
Canals, lakes, rivers, water courses, inlets, and
bays that are nearest to the shores of a nation and
subject to its complete sovereignty.
Inland waters, also known as internal waters,
are subject to the total sovereignty of the coun-
try as much as if they were an actual part of its
land territory. A coastal nation has the right to
exclude foreign vessels, subject to the right of
entry in times of distress.
Whether or not particular waters are to be
regarded as inland waters has traditionally been
dependent upon historical and geographical fac-
tors. Certain types of shoreline configurations
have been regarded as confining bodies of water,
such as bays. In addition, there has been a recog-
nition that other areas of water that are closely
connected to the shore may be regarded as
inland waters based upon the manner in which
they have been treated by the coastal nation,
although they do not meet any exact geographi-
cal test. Historic title to inland waters can be
claimed only in situations when the coastal
nation has asserted and maintained dominion
and control over those waters.
CROSS-REFERENCES
