Suraj Palavalsa
Maritime consciousness is conceptualised as a nation&s;s ability to realise and internalise the importance of the sea in its historical evolution, contemporary interest, and future vision. This internalisation of “maritimity” 1 is scant when not realised across multiple domains – historical, geographical, cultural, economic, commercial, scientific, technological, and environmental – and is pivotal in shaping a nation&s;s identity, development trajectory, and global outreach. In simpler terms, it is the degree to which a State and its population understand and integrate the maritime domain into their national character. 2