The term border dispute (or border conflict) applies to cases where a limited

territory is disputed by two or more states, each contending state would publish its own maps
to include the same region which would invariably lie along or adjacent to the recognised
borders of the competing states, such as the Abyei region which is contested between Sudan
and South Sudan. With border conflicts, the existence of the rival state is not being
challenged (such as the relationship between the Republic of China and People's Republic of
China, or the relationship between South Korea and North Korea), but each state will merely
recognise the shape of the rival state as not containing the claimed territory - this in spite of
who actually governs the land and how it is recognised in the international community.
An occupied territory in general is a region distinct from the recognized territory of
the sovereign states but which the occupying state controls, usually with military forces.
Sometimes, a long-term occupation is generally maintained as a means to act upon a
territorial claim, but this is not a prerequisite as occupation may also be strategic (such as
creating a buffer zone or a preventive move to prevent a rival power obtaining control) or a
means of coercion (such as a punishment, to impose some internal measures or for use as a
bargaining chip).
The term irredentism applies not only to border disputes but wider territorial claims:
In cases where a nation emerges when declaring independence from a larger state, its
ultimate recognition may not always grant the new state control over the territory it proposed
as part of the declaration. Those lands remain unredeemed territory in the eyes of nationalist
movements from the state, but do not otherwise cause a problem between the governments
on each side of the border.
In cases where territory was achieved through historical conquests such as an Empire,
traditionalists may view former colonies as unredeemed territory.
Basis in international law
Territorial disputes have significant meaning in the international society, both because
it is related to the fundamental right of states, sovereignty, and also because it is important
for international peace. International law has significant relations with territorial disputes
because territorial disputes tackles the basis of international law; the state territory.
International law is based on the 'persons' of international law, which requires a 'defined
territory' as mentioned in the Montevideo convention of 1933.
Article 1 of Montevideo Convention on the Rights and Duties of States declares that
"a person of international law should possess the following qualifications: (a) a permanent
population; (b) a defined territory; (c) government; and (d) capacity to enter into relations
with other States"
Also, as mentioned in B. T. Sumner's article, "In international law and relations,
ownership of territory is significant because sovereignty over land defines what constitutes a
state."
Therefore, the breach of a country's borders or territorial disputes pose a threat to a
state's very sovereignty and the right as a person of international law. In addition, territorial
disputes are sometimes brought upon the International Court of Justice, as was the case in
Costa Rica and Nicaragua (2005). Territorial disputes cannot be separated from international
law, because its basis is on the law of state borders, and because its potential settlement also
relies on the international law and court.