What is states territoriality

 "State territoriality" is a fundamental concept in international law and international relations. It refers to the principle that a sovereign state exercises supreme and exclusive authority within its defined geographical boundaries, known as its territory.

Here's a breakdown of its key aspects:

 * Sovereignty: Territoriality is inextricably linked to the concept of state sovereignty. A state's sovereignty means it has the ultimate and independent power to govern itself and its affairs within its territory, free from external interference.

 * Exclusive Jurisdiction: This means that within its territory, a state has the sole right to apply its laws, enforce them, and administer justice. This includes jurisdiction over individuals (both citizens and foreigners), property, and events occurring within its borders.

 * Defined Territory: For a state to exist and exercise territoriality, it must have a clearly defined territory, which typically includes landmass, internal waters, territorial sea (up to 12 nautical miles from the coast), and the airspace above it. While the exact boundaries may sometimes be disputed, the principle requires a recognizable geographical base.

 * Territorial Integrity: This is a core principle closely related to territoriality, emphasizing that a state's territorial boundaries are inviolable. Other states are generally prohibited from using force or threatening to use force to alter another state's territorial boundaries.

 * Foundation of the State System: The concept of territoriality, along with sovereignty, forms the bedrock of the modern international system. It provides order and stability by clearly delineating where one state's authority ends and another's begins, thus minimizing conflicts over jurisdiction and control.

 * Limitations: While states have extensive authority within their territory, their sovereignty is not absolute. It is subject to limitations imposed by international law, such as human rights obligations, the principle of non-intervention in the internal affairs of other states, and certain rules regarding extraterritorial jurisdiction (where a state might exercise jurisdiction over acts committed outside its territory under specific circumstances, e.g., terrorism).

In essence, state territoriality is about the physical space over which a state exercises its power, and it's a crucial element in understanding how states interact with each other in the international arena.