This expansion spans regions in the Arctic, Atlantic, Pacific, and the Gulf of Mexico, granting the U.S. rights to valuable natural resources such as oil and minerals.

The United States has extended its territory by one million square kilometers—not on land, but beneath the ocean. This expansion was made possible through claims to new areas of the extended continental shelf, under international law that allows nations to manage and exploit marine resources within these zones.

Despite already being the third-largest country in the world by landmass, the U.S. is now venturing deeper into the ocean’s vast frontier.

No Immediate Conflicts Arise from the Expansion

A longstanding maritime boundary agreement with Russia, signed in 1990 concerning the Bering Strait, remains intact. However, this new claim could spark diplomatic challenges, particularly with Canada, as competition for Arctic resources intensifies. By extending its continental shelf, the U.S. strengthens its control over Arctic resources, an area where melting ice has unlocked fresh opportunities for exploration.

Securing this underwater territory was a long and complex process. Over the course of two decades, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) gathered extensive data on the ocean floor, including its shape and geophysical features. This detailed information was essential to define the new boundaries of the continental shelf, in what is considered the most ambitious marine mapping project in U.S. history.

With this addition, the total area of the United States now reaches 9.827 million square kilometers, solidifying its presence in new oceanic regions and unlocking potential in industries ranging from mining to maritime transportation.

However, the world is watching closely, weighing the geopolitical and environmental implications of this maritime expansion in an increasingly fragile global context.