Well it seams to me that America owns the ocean since we can basically go whever we want and not a thing will happen to us.
2007-01-26 07:15:25 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Earth Sciences & Geology
It depends on what you mean by "owning the ocean".
If you're referring to control over the surface, the absolute answer is NO ... with some explanation.
Every country with a shoreline has what is known as 'territorial waters', a 'contiguous sea zone', and an 'economic zone'.
Territorial waters extend 12 nautical miles (60000 feet = 11.36 land miles) from the shoreline. Contiguous sea zones extend another 12 nautical miles, making them a total of 24 nautical miles (22.73 land miles) from the shoreline. Economic zones extend a total of 200 nautical miles (189 land miles) from shore.
The country has pretty much absolute control over what happens in the territorial waters (i.e. trespassers can be prosecuted). The contiguous zones are regions where the country has less authority - basically they can haul you over if they think you're doing something wrong. Finally, in the exclusive economic zones, there's even less control over traffic, but still a modest amount over the use of resources (like fish populations).
On the other hand, the US has - at the moment - the largest and strongest maritime presence in the world, both militarily and as a merchant marine. This could be construed as "owning" the oceans of the world ... but it's not a position that can be practically proven (any more than the British "rule of the seas" through the 1500s to the 1800s).
2007-01-26 07:51:07 · answer #1 · answered by CanTexan 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
in terms of ownership as in property America owns a small portion of each ocean it touches, but this area is very small and is right off the coast. it is the same deal for every country that boarders an ocean. every thing beyond those limits is considered international waters and is not owned or controlled by any one country.
if you are talking about ownership in the more figurative sense America still does not own the ocean there are other countries with a navy that is just as strong as ours a few are even stronger
2007-01-26 16:03:45 · answer #2 · answered by onyx200050 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. America owns the ocean. And Space. And the world!
2007-01-27 05:18:46 · answer #3 · answered by Qyn 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No country owns any ocean outside of their coastal limits which is 3 miles, not 200.
2007-01-26 15:25:33 · answer #4 · answered by gebobs 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, we don't...And FYI, most anyone from anywhere can go to all of the same places we can go, without any difficulties.
In general, the ocean within 200 miles of any coastline "belongs" to the country who owns the coastline.
200 miles offshore, it becomes "International waters".
2007-01-26 15:24:13 · answer #5 · answered by abfabmom1 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yep, not to mention all the beach sand.
2007-01-26 15:35:27 · answer #6 · answered by Dr Dave P 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No they dont but dont tell them.They think they do
2007-01-26 15:23:03 · answer #7 · answered by Pauline 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋