Territory
A geographic area under external jurisdiction, not self-governing.
Last updated
A territory is an area of land, sea, or space belonging or connected to a particular country, person, or animal. In international politics, a territory is usually a geographic area that has not been granted the powers of self-government and is under the jurisdiction of a sovereign state. As a subdivision, a territory in most countries is an organized division controlled by a country but not formally developed into or incorporated into a political unit of that country, such as provinces, regions, or states.
Quick Facts
- First recorded use
- Middle English, 14th century
- Key characteristic
- A geographic region dependent on an external government
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The word 'territory' originates from the Proto-Indo-European root 'ters' meaning 'to dry', evolving into the Latin 'terra' ('earth, land') and later 'territorium' ('land around a town'). It entered Middle English in the 14th century, with the suffix '-orium' replaced by '-ory', both denoting place. This linguistic history reflects the concept's grounding in physical land and jurisdiction.
Reader's Guide
Territory serves as a fundamental concept in international politics and administrative geography, distinguishing areas that lack self-government from fully incorporated political units. Its significance lies in how it structures sovereignty, control, and dispute. Examples such as capital territories, dependent territories, and occupied territories illustrate its varied applications. Disputed territories like Kashmir, claimed by both India and Pakistan, highlight how territory can be a source of ongoing conflict.
Occupied territories, such as Crimea under Russian Federation control or the West Bank under Israeli control, demonstrate military occupation without universal recognition. The term also covers overseas territories separated by ocean, like the British Overseas Territories or the autonomous territories of Denmark, France, and the Netherlands. Understanding territory is essential for analyzing governance, colonial legacies, and geopolitical tensions.
More in Spatial Analysis & Gis
Sources
Compiled from Wikipedia and the sources listed below. Text from Wikipedia is available under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is adapted from it.
- Wikipedia: Territory (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced