Abstract
Controversies among coastal states crop up on maritime boundary claims similar to that of demarcation disputes. Choice of the type of baseline for measuring various maritime zones (internal waters, territorial sea, contiguous zone, Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and continental shelf) plays a pivotal role in shaping maritime claims. On regular coasts the default baseline is the normal baseline. The straight baselines though provide an easy solution for irregular coastal configurations but are mostly adopted by the states for obvious advantage of maritime expansion. Extended maritime claim by a state restrict many freedoms of other states in the sea like navigation, over flight, marine scientific research, laying of submarine cables and pipeline, resulting into controversies. The objections to unfounded maritime claims of coastal states by other states and conflicts are not scarce. This paper examines the leading factors behind excessive coastal claims like geographical, economic, political, strategic and psychological. The factors are relative depending on time and space which may accumulate all factors or dominance of one over the other. The central theme is appropriation of more sea for more economic benefits.