The Full List of Borders of the UK
The borders of the UK encompass both land and maritime boundaries, reflecting the nation’s geographical & political structure.
These borders define the territorial limits of the UK and its ties with neighboring countries. Below is a detailed definition of the UK’s borders
The Full List of Borders of the UK
The United Kingdom (UK) is an island nation in northwestern Europe. It comprises four constituent countries: England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
Its borders are unique, as they include both land borders and maritime (international) boundaries. The UK’s borders are defined as follows:
Land Borders of the UK
International Land Border
- Northern Ireland–Republic of Ireland Border
- Length: About 499 km (310 miles).
- This is the only land border between the UK and another sovereign country (the Republic of Ireland, part of the European Union).
- The border crosses various landscapes, including rural farmland, rivers, and towns.
- It is a soft border with no physical barriers due to the Good Friday Agreement.
- Major crossing points: Newry-Dundalk and Derry-Londonderry.
Internal Land Borders
- England–Scotland Border
- Length: About 154 km (96 miles).
- Begins near the River Tweed on the east coast and ends at the Solway Firth on the west coast.
- Notable landmarks: Cheviot Hills, Carter Bar (a popular crossing point).
- Key towns near the border: Berwick-upon-Tweed (England) and Gretna (Scotland).
- England–Wales Border
- Length: About 257 km (160 miles).
- Begins near the Dee Estuary in the north and ends at the Severn Estuary in the south.
- Key landmarks: Offa’s Dyke, Wye Valley.
- Towns near the border: Chester (England) and Wrexham (Wales).
These are the key borders within and around the UK. Other borders in the UK are maritime and include boundaries with bodies of water like the Atlantic Ocean, the North Sea, the English Channel, and the Irish Sea.
Maritime Borders of the UK
The UK’s maritime borders is defined territorial waters (12 nautical miles from the coast), exclusive economic zones (up to 200 nautical miles) and international agreements.
- Territorial Sea (12 nautical miles): The UK exercises full sovereignty over the waters extending 12 nautical miles from its coastline.
- Contiguous Zone (24 nautical miles): Beyond the territorial Sea, the UK has the right to enforce laws concerning customs, immigration, and security.
- Exclusive Economic Zone (200 nautical miles): The UK has exclusive rights to exploit natural resources (fishing, oil, gas) in the EEZ, subject to certain international regulations.
- Continental Shelf: The UK’s claim to the continental shelf includes the right to exploit natural resources on and beneath the seabed.
Seas Bordering the UK
The UK is surrounded by several vital seas and maritime areas, each with varying degrees of influence on the UK’s maritime borders:
- North Atlantic & North Sea: The UK shares maritime borders with Ireland, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, Norway, and Iceland. Many boundaries were established via bilateral agreements.
- English Channel: It is the strait separating southern England from northern France. Serves as a vital shipping route connecting the North Sea to the Atlantic Ocean.
- Gibraltar: Dispute with Spain over territorial waters around the British Overseas Territory.
- Celtic Sea & Irish Sea: The Celtic Sea is off the south coast of the UK, and the Irish Sea lies between Great Britain and Ireland. The UK shares borders with Ireland on both seas.
- Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas): Disputed EEZ with Argentina, which claims the islands.
Internal Maritime Borders
- England–Scotland Maritime Border: Runs from the Solway Firth to the North Sea.
- England–Wales Maritime Border: Runs along the Bristol Channel and Severn Estuary.
- Scotland–Northern Ireland Maritime Border: Separates Northern Ireland and Scotland across the North Channel.
- Northern Ireland–England/Wales Maritime Borders: Northern Ireland connects to western England and Wales across the Irish Sea.
International Maritime Borders
- France (via the English Channel): The border runs along the Dover Strait in the narrowest part of the English Channel. Maritime separation is governed by treaties, like the London Convention and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
- Belgium (via the North Sea): Located east of England across the North Sea.
- Netherlands (via the North Sea): The border lies farther northeast of Belgium, across the North Sea.
- Ireland (via the Irish Sea and the Celtic Sea): Maritime boundaries surround the Republic of Ireland, particularly in the Irish Sea, Celtic Sea, and St. George’s Channel.
- Norway (via the North Sea): Lies northeast of Scotland, with maritime borders extending into the North and Norwegian Seas.
- Denmark (via the North Sea and Faroese waters): Shared waters with the Faroe Islands, a self-governing territory of Denmark.
- Germany (North Sea): Maritime borders overlap in the North Sea, extending from agreements involving nearby nations.
- Iceland (North Atlantic): Includes waters in the North Atlantic Ocean, linked through proximity to UK territories like Scotland and the Faroe Islands.
- Spain: Maritime boundaries relate to the Gibraltar region, a British Overseas Territory.
- Faroe Islands and Greenland (Denmark): Maritime zones overlap with these territories due to proximity to Scotland and the North Atlantic.
Border with British Overseas Territories
The UK also controls 14 Overseas Territories, which have their own maritime borders, such as Gibraltar (bordering Spain) and the Falkland Islands ( maritime border with Argentina).
Overseas Territories
The UK has several overseas territories with their own maritime borders, which extend the UK’s maritime reach beyond its mainland. These territories include:
- Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands (Caribbean): Situated in the North Atlantic Ocean, with maritime borders around the island.
- Falkland Islands, South Georgia & South Sandwich Islands (South Atlantic): Located in the South Atlantic Ocean, with maritime borders extending over rich fishing grounds and potential oil reserves.
- Pitcairn Islands (Pacific).
- British Indian Ocean Territory (Including Diego Garcia): Disputed with Mauritius.
- Gibraltar: Located at the entrance of the Mediterranean Sea, bordering Spain.
- Montserrat and Anguilla: Located in the Caribbean, with maritime borders with surrounding Caribbean islands.
Key Maritime Disputes and Conflicts
Although the UK’s maritime borders are relatively stable, there are some areas of dispute:
- Gibraltar: Sovereignty over the Gibraltar Strait is contested with Spain. This area is vital for global shipping and has strategic military importance.
- Fishing Rights: Post-Brexit, the UK and the EU have negotiated new fishing quotas in the North Sea and surrounding waters, which are periodically disputed.
- Falkland Islands: Argentina claims sovereignty over the Falkland Islands, and maritime boundaries around the islands are contentious, especially over oil exploration and fishing rights.
Strategic Importance of UK’s Maritime Borders
The UK’s maritime borders provide it with significant strategic and economic advantages:
- Shipping Routes: The UK depends on maritime trade routes, particularly the English Channel and North Atlantic.
- Energy Resources: The North Sea, including areas like the Norwegian and Barents Sea, is rich in oil and gas reserves, crucial to the UK’s energy supply.
- Fishing Industry: The UK has long relied on its maritime resources, and post-Brexit arrangements remain key in determining access to fishing grounds.
- Military: The UK’s proximity to the Atlantic Ocean, North Sea, and English Channel makes it a critical military power with naval bases and facilities at home and overseas territories. The Royal Navy ensures security, including nuclear deterrence (Trident submarines) and global patrols.
