What is the contiguity argument in international law?

Answer 1

The contiguity argument holds that disputed territories should be awarded to the holder of the most proximate land territory. However, as a result of the Island of Palmas Case in 1932, the contiguity argument is not considered legally valid in international law. Far more important, and usually determinative, is the display of continuous local control and sovereignty, In the post-colonial and more international environment of the post-World War II era, numerous other factors entered the discussion, such as indigenous people's rights, national sovereignty, disincentivizing war by denying spoils to victors, and other conditions that make continuous local control and sovereignty an important but non-determinative factor in determining right to future sovereignty.