Country Guide • Western Sahara
Western Sahara is situated in Northern Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Mauritania and Morocco. Morocco virtually annexed the northern two-thirds of Western Sahara (formerly Spanish Sahara) in 1976, and the rest of the territory in 1979, following Mauritania's withdrawal. A guerrilla war with the Polisario Front contesting Rabat's sovereignty ended in a 1991 UN-brokered cease-fire. The Western Sahara is a disputed territory under Moroccan military jurisdiction. The UK and the United Nations regard its status as undetermined.
| Official Name | Western Sahara (proposed state) |
|---|---|
| Area | 266,000km² (102,703mile²) |
| Population | 261,794 |
| Continent | Africa |
| Population per mile² | 3 |
| Capital City | Largest City - El Aaiun |
| Religions | Muslim |
| Language | Hassaniya Arabic, Moroccan Arabic |
| Government | Legal status of territory and issue of sovereignty unresolved; territory contested by Morocco and Polisario Front (Popular Front for the Liberation of the Saguia el Hamra and Rio de Oro), |
| Currency | Tala |
| GDP | $ N/A |
| GDP per Head | $ N/A |
| Natural Resources | Phosphates, iron ore |
| Land Use | Arable Land 0% |
| Agriculture | Little is grown, wjat is grown is in the few oases. These include fruit and vegetables, small livestock inc camels, sheep and goats are kept by nomads |
| Industry | Phosphate mining, handicrafts |
| Tourism | Although currently stable, tourism is not actively encouraged and facilities are very limited |
| Natural Hazards | Hot, dry, dust/sand-laden sirocco wind can occur during winter and spring; widespread harmattan haze exists 60% of time, often severely restricting visibility |
| Health Risks | Medical facilities are almost non-existent in desert areas |
| Climate | Hot, dry desert; rain is rare; cold offshore air currents produce fog and heavy dew |
| Time | GMT/UTC- No UTC/GMT offset |
| Visas | Visitors planning to travel in the region should seek information on clearance requirements from the Moroccan Embassy |
| British Embassy | Embassy Details |
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