Home > Factbook > Countries > Western Sahara
| 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 land: 266,000 sq km water: 0 sq km |
| Area - comparative | about the size of Colorado |
| Land boundaries | total: 2,049 km border countries (3): Algeria 41 km, Mauritania 1564 km, Morocco 444 km |
| Coastline | 1,110 km |
| 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 | mean elevation: 256 m 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.) arable land: 0% (2011 est.) / permanent crops: 0% (2011 est.) / permanent pasture: 18.8% (2011 est.) forest: 2.7% (2011 est.) other: 78.5% (2011 est.) |
| Irrigated land | 0 sq km (2012) |
| 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 as shown in this population distribution map |
| 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 |
Source: CIA World Factbook
This page was last updated on Friday, November 27, 2020
