A
buffer zone is generally a area that lies between two or more other areas (often, but not necessarily,
countries), but depending on the type of buffer zone, the reason for it may be to segregate regions or to conjoin them. Common types of buffer zones are
demilitarized zones,
border zones and certain restrictive easement zones and
green belts. Such zones may be, but not necessarily be, comprised by a sovereign state, forming a
buffer state.