borderlands

Within a river, coast or top of a mountain ridge to naturally define borders, they may be arbitrated between two nations. However, less governed territories may not have well-defined borders with nations. These create borderlands, where the controlling nation or tribe of anywhere in them, is under dispute or without agreement. Tribal and nomadic cultures may not use the concepts of hard-wired borders. Lands may be shared or open without ownership. Borderlands are usually wilder and more dangerous due to the lack of well maintained roads and very if any major settlements.