Mapping Arctic territorial claims

A year since Russia laid to claim to a large area of the Arctic, geographers at Durham University have drawn an Arctic Map showing where future border disputes may occur as states lay claim to the region.

As searches for new oil, gas and minerals intensifies, and due to historical and ongoing arguments about ownership, Arctic lands and seas could see increased claims – and conflicts.

Durham’s geographers believe their map is the first published map to depict maritime jurisdictional issues in the Arctic with geographic precision. The map shows where boundaries have been agreed, where known claims are and forecasts the potential areas that states might claim.

The International Boundaries Research Unit, based at the Department of Geography at Durham University, is a leading source of information and expertise on boundary and territorial issues around the world.