Western Sahara Geography

What is the terrain and geography like in Western Sahara?

Geography - note

the waters off the coast are particularly rich fishing areas

Climate

hot, dry desert; rain is rare; cold offshore air currents produce fog and heavy dew

Western Sahara Use of Natural Resources

Western Sahara Environment

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

Natural Resources:

phosphates, iron ore

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

Environmental Issues:

sparse water and lack of arable land

Environment - International Agreements:

party to: none of the selected agreements

Western Sahara Geography

Geographic Location	Africa
Total Area	102,703 Square Miles 266,000 Square Kilometers
Land Area	102,703 Square Miles 266,000 Square Kilometers
Land Boundaries	1,271 Miles 2,046 Kilometers
Border Countries	Algeria 42 km, Mauritania 1,561 km, Morocco 443 km
Coastline	690 Miles 1,110 Kilometers
Geographic Coordinates	24 30 N, 13 00 W
Terrain	mostly low, flat desert with large areas of rocky or sandy surfaces rising to small mountains in south and northeast
Highest Point	463 Meters
Highest Point Location	unnamed location 463 m
Lowest Point	-55 Meters
Lowest Point Location	Sebjet Tah -55 m
Natural Resources	phosphates, iron ore
Time Zone	UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Daylight saving time	+1hr, begins last Sunday in April; ends last Sunday in September

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