How far from the baseline of a country do international waters begin?

International waters begin 12 miles from the baseline of a country's coastline. This distance is established under international maritime law and is a standard recognized by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Within this 12-mile limit, a country exercises sovereignty and jurisdiction over the waters, allowing them to enforce laws related to navigation, fishing, and natural resources. Beyond this territorial sea, the waters are considered high seas, where no single nation has exclusive jurisdiction, and there is freedom of navigation for all states. This understanding is critical for naval operations, international law, and global maritime activities.