Advanced Placement (AP) Human Geography Practice Exam

What does the term exclusive economic zone (EEZ) refer to?

1. A national zone for military operations

2. An area designated for natural resource exploration

3. A land area designated for industrial development

4. A forest zone for conservation efforts

The correct answer is: An area designated for natural resource exploration

The term exclusive economic zone (EEZ) refers to a maritime zone extending 200 nautical miles from a coastal state's baseline, where that state has special rights regarding the exploration and use of marine resources, including fishing and oil extraction. Within this area, the coastal nation has exclusive rights to the natural resources, both renewable and non-renewable, which makes the correct response focused on natural resource exploration. While options like military operation zones, industrial development areas, and forest conservation areas pertain to land or specific uses that do not define the EEZ, the essence of the EEZ lies in its economic terms related to the ocean and its resources, emphasizing the state's control over activities in that maritime zone. Thus, it is crucial to understand that EEZs primarily concern economic exploitation and conservation of finite marine resources, which aligns directly with the correct choice.