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Western Sahara:
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Other pages in this profile of Western Sahara:
People, Government, Economy, Communications & Transportation, Military & Transnational Issues.
People, Government, Economy, Communications & Transportation, Military & Transnational Issues.
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Background |
Definition Morocco virtually annexed the northern two-thirds of Western Sahara (formerly Spanish Sahara) in 1976, and the rest of the territory in 1979, following Mauritania's withdrawal. A guerrilla war with the Polisario Front contesting Rabat's sovereignty ended in a 1991 UN-brokered cease-fire; a UN-organized referendum on final status has been repeatedly postponed. In April 2007, Morocco presented an autonomy plan for the territory to the UN, which the U.S. considers serious and credible. The Polisario also presented a plan to the UN in 2007. Since June 2007, representatives from the Government of Morocco and the Polisario Front have met four times to negotiate the status of Western Sahara. |
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Location |
Definition Northern Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Mauritania and Morocco |
Geographic coordinates |
Definition 24 30 N, 13 00 W |
Map references |
Definition Africa |
Area |
Definition - World rank and map total: 266,000 sq km land: 266,000 sq km water: 0 sq km |
Area - comparative |
Definition about the size of Colorado |
Land boundaries |
Definition total: 2,046 km border countries: Algeria 42 km, Mauritania 1,561 km, Morocco 443 km |
Coastline |
Definition 1,110 km |
Maritime claims |
Definition contingent upon resolution of sovereignty issue |
Climate |
Definition hot, dry desert; rain is rare; cold offshore air currents produce fog and heavy dew |
Terrain |
Definition mostly low, flat desert with large areas of rocky or sandy surfaces rising to small mountains in south and northeast |
Elevation extremes |
Definition lowest point: Sebjet Tah -55 m highest point: unnamed elevation 805 m |
Natural resources |
Definition phosphates, iron ore |
Land use |
Definition - World rank and map arable land: 0.02% permanent crops: 0% other: 99.98% (2005) |
Irrigated land |
Definition NA |
Natural hazards |
Definition 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 |
Definition sparse water and lack of arable land |
Environment - international agreements |
Definition party to: none of the selected agreements signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements |
Geography - note |
Definition the waters off the coast are particularly rich fishing areas |
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Copyright 2008 World Sites Atlas (sitesatlas.com) |