Western Sahara Overview
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Where is Western Sahara located?

What countries border Western Sahara?

Western Sahara Facts

What is the capital of Western Sahara?

Capital Laayoune (administrative center)
Government Type 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), which in February 1976 formally proclaimed a government-in-exile of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR), near Tindouf, Algeria, was led by President Mohamed ABDELAZIZ until his death in May 2016; current President Brahim GHALI elected in July 2016; territory partitioned between Morocco and Mauritania in April 1976 when Spain withdrew, with Morocco acquiring northern two-thirds; Mauritania, under pressure from Polisario guerrillas, abandoned all claims to its portion in August 1979; Morocco moved to occupy that sector shortly thereafter and has since asserted administrative control; the Polisario's government-in-exile was seated as an Organization of African Unity (OAU) member in 1984 - Morocco between 1980 and 1987 built a fortified sand berm delineating the roughly 80 percent of Western Sahara west of the barrier that currently is controlled by Morocco; guerrilla activities continued sporadically until a UN-monitored cease-fire was implemented on 6 September 1991 (Security Council Resolution 690) by the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO)
Currency Moroccan Dirham (MAD)
Total Area 102,703 Square Miles
266,000 Square Kilometers
Location Northern Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Mauritania and Morocco
Language Hassaniya Arabic, Moroccan Arabic
GDP - per capita (PPP) $2,500.00 (USD)

Western Sahara Demographics

What is the population of Western Sahara?

Ethnic Groups Arab, Berber
Nationality Noun Sahrawi(s), Sahraoui(s)
Population 652,271
Population - note note: estimate is based on projections by age, sex, fertility, mortality, and migration; fertility and mortality are based on data from neighboring countries
Population Growth Rate 2.96%
Population in Major Urban Areas Laayoune 237,000
Urban Population 82.000000

Western Sahara Government

What type of government does Western Sahara have?

Executive Branch none
Suffrage none; (residents of Moroccan-controlled Western Sahara participate in Moroccan elections)

Western Sahara Video

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Western Sahara Geography

What environmental issues does Western Sahara have?

Climate hot, dry desert; rain is rare; cold offshore air currents produce fog and heavy dew
Border Countries Algeria 42 km, Mauritania 1,561 km, Morocco 443 km
Environment - Current Issues sparse water and lack of arable land
Environment - International Agreements party to: none of the selected agreements
Terrain mostly low, flat desert with large areas of rocky or sandy surfaces rising to small mountains in south and northeast

Western Sahara Economy

How big is the Western Sahara economy?

Economic Overview Western Sahara has a small market-based economy whose main industries are fishing, phosphate mining, tourism, and pastoral nomadism. The territory's arid desert climate makes sedentary agriculture difficult, and much of its food is imported. The Moroccan Government administers Western Sahara's economy and is a key source of employment, infrastructure development, and social spending in the territory.

Western Sahara's unresolved legal status makes the exploitation of its natural resources a contentious issue between Morocco and the Polisario. Morocco and the EU in December 2013 finalized a four-year agreement allowing European vessels to fish off the coast of Morocco, including disputed waters off the coast of Western Sahara. As of April 2018, Moroccan and EU authorities were negotiating an amendment to renew the agreement.

Oil has never been found in Western Sahara in commercially significant quantities, but Morocco and the Polisario have quarreled over rights to authorize and benefit from oil exploration in the territory. Western Sahara's main long-term economic challenge is the development of a more diverse set of industries capable of providing greater employment and income to the territory. However, following King MOHAMMED VI’s November 2015 visit to Western Sahara, the Government of Morocco announced a series of investments aimed at spurring economic activity in the region, while the General Confederation of Moroccan Enterprises announced a $609 million investment initiative in the region in March 2015.
Industries phosphate mining, handicrafts
Currency Name and Code Moroccan Dirham (MAD)
Export Partners Morocco claims and administers Western Sahara, so trade partners are included in overall Moroccan accounts
Import Partners Morocco claims and administers Western Sahara, so trade partners are included in overall Moroccan accounts

Western Sahara News and Current Events

What current events are happening in Western Sahara?
Source: Google News

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