What does the term 'contiguous zone' refer to in terms of distance from the baseline?

The term 'contiguous zone' refers to a specific maritime area that extends from the baseline of a coastal state where the state may exercise limited control. Specifically, the contiguous zone extends from 12 nautical miles to 24 nautical miles from the baseline. This zone allows for the enforcement of laws regarding customs, immigration, and sanitation, among other matters. It acts as a buffer between the territorial sea and the high seas, giving the coastal state certain jurisdictional rights beyond the territorial waters, which are up to 12 nautical miles.

The other options either refer to different zones or do not adequately represent the distance defined in international maritime law. The contiguous zone is crucial for coastal nations to manage activities that may affect the coastal state’s rights and interests without having the full jurisdiction that comes with territorial waters.