Boundaries, Demarcation of

Boundaries, Demarcation of 

in international law, the establishment of the line of a state boundary on the terrain. To make a demarcation of boundaries the agreeing parties form joint commissions. Guided by an agreement on delimitation of borders, which contains a description of the line of the state border and has a special map appended, the commissions determine and designate the course of the border on the terrain by setting up special border signs (such as posts and wire entanglements). Protocols with a description of the course of the border and placement of border signs, with diagrams and photographs of these signs appended, are drawn up. Border signs cannot be arbitrarily moved, and the parties are obligated to keep them in proper condition. Checking a boundary that was demarcated earlier and restoring or replacing destroyed border signs is called remarcation.