### Question
How is the term Continental Shelf defined?


### Answer
The term **Continental Shelf** is defined in *16 U.S.C. § 1802* as the following:

> the seabed and subsoil of the submarine areas adjacent to the coast, but outside the area of the territorial sea, of the United States, to a depth of 200 meters or, beyond that limit, to where the depth of the superjacent waters admits of the exploitation of the natural resources of such areas

#### Citation:
  - *16 U.S.C. § 1802*
  - Heading: **CHAPTER 38-FISHERY CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT > SUBCHAPTER I-GENERALLY**

