Western Sahara

Western Sahara is a disputed territory in northwest Africa on the Atlantic coast, bordered by Morocco, Algeria, Mauritania, and the Atlantic Ocean.

Western Sahara is a disputed territory in northwest Africa on the Atlantic coast. It was formerly a Spanish colony and remains a United Nations non-self-governing territory whose final political status is unresolved. Most of the territory is administered by Morocco, while the Polisario Front controls a smaller eastern area and claims independence for the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic.

Geography

Western Sahara is a sparsely populated desert territory on the Atlantic coast of northwest Africa. It is bounded by Morocco to the north, Algeria to the northeast, Mauritania to the east and south, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west. The territory covers about 252,120 km² and consists mainly of desert, including the regions of Río de Oro and Saguia el-Hamra.

History

Spain formerly administered the territory as Spanish Sahara before withdrawing in the mid-1970s. After Spain's withdrawal, Morocco took control of most of the area, while the Polisario Front pursued Sahrawi self-determination and independence. The Polisario Front proclaimed the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic in 1976.

Political status

Western Sahara is internationally regarded as a disputed non-self-governing territory. The United Nations lists it as non-self-governing. Morocco administers most of the territory, while the Polisario Front controls an eastern area beyond the berm. A UN-backed ceasefire in 1991 ended active warfare for many years, but the political dispute remained unresolved.

Population and settlements

The population is about 670,993 (2024 estimate) and relatively small for the territory's size. Most residents are concentrated in a few urban centres such as Laayoune, which is the capital and largest city. The area is among the least densely populated territories in Africa.

Economy and resources

Western Sahara is known for phosphate resources, fishing grounds, and speculation about offshore oil deposits. Control over natural resources is part of the wider political dispute.