Which statement best defines a perforated state?

• A. A perforated state fully surrounds another state; example: South Africa surrounds Lesotho.
• B. A perforated state is a state with two non-contiguous parts separated by another state's territory.
• C. A perforated state is a landlocked state with no coastline.
• D. A perforated state is a state with multiple enclaves.

Answer: (B)

A perforated state is one that completely surrounds another state. The defining idea is that the inner country sits entirely within the borders of the surrounding country, creating an enclave inside the outer state. A classic example is South Africa, which surrounds Lesotho on all sides. This arrangement affects how the two countries interact, since the enclaved state relies on its neighbor for access to the outside world, while remaining sovereign.

The statement describing a state with two non-contiguous parts separated by another state's territory describes fragmentation, not perforation. A fragmented state has pieces that are not physically connected and may be separated by the territory of other states or by water, but it does not involve one state encircling another.