Location:
Northern Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Mauritania and Morocco
Geographic coordinates:
24 30 N, 13 00 W
Map references:
Africa
Area:
total: 266,000 sq km
[see also: Area - total country ranks ]
land: 266,000 sq km
[see also: Area - land country ranks ]
water: 0 sq km
[see also: Area - water country ranks ]
country comparison to the world (CIA rank, may be based on non-current data):
79
Area - comparative:
about the size of Colorado
Land boundaries:
total: 2,049 km
[see also: Land boundaries - total country ranks ]
border countries (3):
Algeria 41 km, Mauritania 1564 km, Morocco 444 km
Coastline:
1,110 km
[see also: Coastline country ranks ]
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:
mean elevation: 256 m
[see also: Elevation - mean elevation country ranks ]
lowest point:
Sebjet Tah -55 m
highest point:
unnamed elevation 805 m
Natural resources:
phosphates, iron ore
Land use:
agricultural land: 18.8%
(2011 est.)
[see also: Land use - agricultural land country ranks ]
arable land: 0%
(2011 est.)
[see also: Land use - arable land country ranks ]
permanent crops: 0%
(2011 est.)
[see also: Land use - permanent crops country ranks ]
permanent pasture: 18.8%
(2011 est.)
[see also: Land use - permanent pasture country ranks ]
forest: 2.7%
(2011 est.)
[see also: Land use - forest country ranks ]
other: 78.5%
(2011 est.)
[see also: Land use country ranks ]
Irrigated land:
0 sq km
(2012)
[see also: Irrigated land country ranks ]
Population distribution:
most of the population lives in the two-thirds of the area west of the berm (Moroccan-occupied) that divides the territory; about 40% of that populace resides in Laayoune
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:
desertification; overgrazing; sparse water and lack of arable land
Geography - note:
the waters off the coast are particularly rich fishing areas
