Western Sahara Geography Profile

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Location
Northern Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Mauritania and Morocco
Geographic coordinates
24 30 N, 13 00 W
Map references
Africa
Area
total: 266,000 sq km
land: 266,000 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative
about the size of Colorado
Land boundaries
total: 2,049 km
border countries (3): Algeria 41 km, Mauritania 1564 km, Morocco 444 km
Coastline
1,110 km
Maritime claims
contingent upon resolution of sovereignty issue
Climate
hot, dry desert; rain is rare; cold offshore air currents produce fog and heavy dew
Terrain
mostly low, flat desert with large areas of rocky or sandy surfaces rising to small mountains in south and northeast
Elevation extremes
mean elevation: 256 m
lowest point: Sebjet Tah -55 m
highest point: unnamed elevation 805 m
Natural resources
phosphates, iron ore
Land use
agricultural land: 18.8% (2011 est.)
arable land: 0% (2011 est.) / permanent crops: 0% (2011 est.) / permanent pasture: 18.8% (2011 est.)
forest: 2.7% (2011 est.)
other: 78.5% (2011 est.)
Irrigated land
0 sq km (2012)
Population distribution
most of the population lives in the two-thirds of the area west of the berm (Moroccan-occupied) that divides the territory; about 40% of that populace resides in Laayoune as shown in this population distribution map
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
Environment - current issues
desertification; overgrazing; sparse water and lack of arable land
Geography - note
the waters off the coast are particularly rich fishing areas

Source: CIA World Factbook
This page was last updated on Friday, November 27, 2020

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