Disputed Areas

I

Introduction

Disputed Areas, territories over which two or more countries or groups of people claim sovereignty. Governments or people who have a stake in the disputes are usually very sensitive about how these regions are portrayed on maps.

This article is intended to be a reference guide to the disputed areas and borders shown on the maps in the Encarta Premium World Atlas. It is not a comprehensive listing of all territorial, border, or other geopolitical disputes between nations or peoples. In dealing with disputed areas, the cartographers have strived to find neutral ground and present opposing points of view where appropriate.

In the World Atlas, disputed borders appear as broken orange lines. Labels for some disputed areas include the word “(disputed)”.

II

Arunachal Pradesh

China claims the northern part of the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh. The boundary has been disputed since 1914, when the British, who had recently incorporated the tribal territory into British India, proposed a border that China never ratified. Although China invaded the area several times after India became independent in 1947, the proposed border remains the de facto boundary.

III

Bakassi Peninsula

The Bakassi Peninsula is claimed by both Cameroon and Nigeria. Administered by Cameroon since 1960, the oil-rich peninsula was invaded by Nigerian forces in 1994. Although the question of ownership was subsequently submitted to the International Court of Justice, armed clashes resumed in 1996 and 1998. In October 2002 the court awarded sovereignty of the peninsula to Cameroon. However, Nigeria rejected the ruling and for many months refused to hand over the area. Talks continue to try to end the dispute.

IV

Cyprus

Following an invasion by Turkish forces in 1974, the northern third of Cyprus came under Turkish control. This area proclaimed itself the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus in 1983, but Turkey alone recognizes this republic. The southern portion remains under the control of the internationally recognized Greek Cypriot government. The two areas are separated by a United Nations buffer zone.