A disputed territory in the Maghreb region of North Africa, bordered by Morocco, Algeria, and Mauritania, with a long Atlantic Ocean coastline.
Western Sahara, a former Spanish colony, has been the subject of a territorial dispute between Morocco and the Polisario Front, an independence moveme ...
Longitude: -13
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Latitude: 39.04372
Longitude: -77.48749
Home country: United States
Distance to Western Sahara:
6,177.414 km
Terrain:
The terrain is predominantly flat and rocky with extensive sand dunes in some areas. The coastal regions feature low, flat desert plains.
Natural Resources:
Phosphate deposits, rich fishing grounds off the coast, potential oil and gas reserves, and possibly valuable minerals.
Industries:
Phosphate mining, fishing, and limited agriculture are the main industries, with a developing focus on potential oil and gas exploration.
Population: 510,713
The majority of the population lives in the coastal cities of Laayoune and Dakhla, with sparse settlements in the interior desert regions.
Area: 266,000 km2
slightly smaller than Colorado
Western Sahara consists of mostly desert flatlands, covering approximately 266,000 square kilometers, making it about the size of Colorado.
| Code | Language |
|---|---|
| ber | Berber |
| mey | Hassaniya |
| spa | Spanish |
Arabic and Spanish are widely spoken, with Hassaniya Arabic being the most common local dialect.
| Code | Currency | Symbol |
|---|---|---|
| DZD | Algerian dinar | د.ج |
| MAD | Moroccan dirham | د.م. |
| MRU | Mauritanian ouguiya | UM |
Capital City: El Aaiún
Local time: Thursday, December 11 at 5:38 pm (GMT+02:00)
Visiting Western Sahara
You're in for a treat! Western Sahara is a fascinating place to explore, especially from November to March. Here's what you could encounter:
- Unique desert landscapes
- Rich cultural heritage and history
- Authentic nomadic experiences
- Political instability and territorial disputes
- Poor infrastructure and healthcare
- Extreme heat during summer months
- 0UNKNOWN RISK
Travel safety is unknown, proceed with caution
- Sahrawi cuisine features couscous, dates, and camel meat.
- Popular dishes include mechoui and tajine.
- Mint tea is a significant part of the culture.
- Explore the dunes of the Sahara Desert
- Visit the capital city of Laayoune
- Experience traditional Sahrawi culture
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