Geography of Western Sahara
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Geography of Western Sahara
Location: Northern Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, Morocco proper, Algeria (Tindouf region), and Mauritania. Coastline: 1,110 km; land boundaries: 2,046 km.
Geographic coordinates: Template:Coor dm
Area:
total:
266,000 km²
land:
266,000 km²
water:
0 km²
- Saguia el Hamra is the northern third with the city Laayoune
- Río de Oro is the southern two-thirds (south of Cape Bojador), with the city Dakhla.
The peninsula in the extreme southwest, with the city of Lagouira, is called Ras Nouadhibou, Cap Blanc, or Cabo Blanco. The eastern side is part of Mauritania.
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:
lowest point:
Sebjet Tah -55 m
highest point:
unnamed location 463 m
Natural resources: phosphates, iron ore
Land use:
arable land:
0%
permanent crops:
0%
permanent pastures:
19%
forests and woodland:
0%
other:
81%
Irrigated land: NA km²
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: sparse water and lack of arable land
Environment - international agreements:
party to:
none of the selected agreements
signed, but not ratified:
none of the selected agreements
External links
Maps:
- [1] (http://www.un.org/Depts/Cartographic/map/dpko/minurso.pdf) (PDF)
- [2] (http://www.sahara-occidental.com/images/cartes/cartesop.gif)
- [3] (http://www.cidi.nl/img/isnbr/2004-nb1.jpg)
- Ras Nouadhibou peninsula (http://www.sahara-info.ch/Mauretanien/Cap_Blanc_Halbinsel.gif)
![[2]](http://www.sahara-occidental.com/images/cartes/cartesop.gif){kind=link}
![[3]](http://www.cidi.nl/img/isnbr/2004-nb1.jpg){kind=link}
