Geography of Western Sahara - Definition and Overview

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: 24 30 N, 13 00 W 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)