What are territorial waters?

   Territorial Waters are those waters which fall under the jurisdiction of a state. Rivers or lakes wholly within the boundary of a state are the property of that state. If a body of water forms a boundary between two countries, each owns half of such body, i. e., up to the middle of the part which serves such a function. If, however, such waters serve as a connecting link between parts of the high seas, they are submitted to international arbitration for jurisdic¬tion, as in the case of the Panama Canal. Although international law does not make definite ruling to cover those uninclosed waters near the border of a country, it is generally recognized that such a country may extend its jurisdiction out as far as 3 miles. Thus the civil and criminal laws of a country are enforced over all ships both national and foreign in this strip.