Western Sahara Geography 1996

Location:

Northern Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Mauritania and Morocco

Map references:

Africa

Area:

total area:

266,000 sq km

land area:

266,000 sq km

comparative area:

slightly smaller than Colorado

Land boundaries:

total 2,046 km, Algeria 42 km, Mauritania 1,561 km, Morocco 443 km

Coastline:

1,110 km

Maritime claims:

contingent upon resolution of sovereignty issue

International disputes:

claimed and administered by Morocco, but sovereignty is unresolved and the UN is attempting to hold a referendum on the issue; the UN-administered cease-fire has been currently in effect since September 1991

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

Land use:

arable land:

permanent crops:

meadows and pastures:

19%

forest and woodland:

other:

81%

Irrigated land:

NA sq km

Environment:

current issues:

sparse water and arable land

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

international agreements:

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