Quick Data on Western Sahara
| Short Name | Western Sahara |
| Capital | Laayoune |
| Long Name | n/a |
| Country Code | – |
| Continent | Africa |
| Total Area | 266,000 sq km |
| Population | 652,271 |
| Language | Arabic |
| Nationality | Sahrawi(s), Sahraoui(s) |
Geography of Western Sahara
As a country in Africa, with coordinates at 24 30 N, 13 00 W, Western Sahara neighbors Algeria 41 km, Mauritania 1564 km, Morocco 444 km. The terrain in Western Sahara is described as mostly low, flat desert with large areas of rocky or sandy surfaces rising to small mountains in south and northeast, with an average elevation point of 256 m. The climate of Western Sahara: hot, dry desert; rain is rare; cold offshore air currents produce fog and heavy dew.
| Surface Total | 266,000 sq km |
| Land Surface | 266,000 sq km |
| Water Surface | 0 sq km |
| Land Boundaries | 2,049 km |
| Neighbor Countries | Algeria 41 km, Mauritania 1564 km, Morocco 444 km |
| Coastline | 1,110 km |
| Lowest Elevation Point | Sebjet Tah -55 m |
| Highest Elevation Point | unnamed elevation 805 m |
Resources of Western Sahara
The country enjoys many types of natural resources, with the main ones being phosphates, iron ore. The agricultural land occupies 18.80% of Western Sahara, while the land covered with forests is estimated at 2.70%.
| Percent of Total Land | Surface Sq km | Data | |
| Agricultural Land | 18.80% | 50,008 sq km | 2011 est. |
| Irrigated Land | 0 sq km | 2012 | |
| Forest Land | 2.70% | 7,182 sq km | 2011 est. |
| Other Land | 78.50% | 208,810 sq km | 2011 est. |
Population of Western Sahara
The population of the country is estimated at 652,271 people, with the biggest urban area having 232,000 Laayoune (2018). Known as Sahrawi(s), Sahraoui(s), the people from Western Sahara come from diversified ethnic groups such as Arab, Berber. The official language is Arabic. Religions: Muslim.
| Population | 652,271 |
| Nationality | Sahrawi(s), Sahraoui(s) |
| Official Language | Arabic |
| Other Languages | Standard Arabic, Hassaniya Arabic, Moroccan Arabic, Berber, Spanish, French |
| Birth Rate | 28 births / 1000 population (2020 est.) |
| Death Rate | 7.7 deaths / 1000 population (2020 est.) |
| Urban Population | 86.80% of total population (2020) |
| Physicians Density | n/a physicians/1,000 population (n/a) |
| Hospital Beds Density | n/a beds/1,000 population (n/a) |
Governing Type of Western Sahara
Western Sahara is a legal status of territory and issue of sovereignty unresolved; territory contested by Morocco and Polisario Front (Popular Front for the Liberation of the Saguia el Hamra and Rio de Oro), which in February 1976 formally proclaimed a government-in-exile of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR), near Tindouf, Algeria, led by President Mohamed ABDELAZIZ until his death in May 2016; current President Brahim GHALI elected in July 2016; territory partitioned between Morocco and Mauritania in April 1976 when Spain withdrew, with Morocco acquiring northern two-thirds; Mauritania, under pressure from Polisario guerrillas, abandoned all claims to its portion in August 1979; Morocco moved to occupy that sector shortly thereafter and has since asserted administrative control; the Polisario’s government-in-exile was seated as an Organization of African Unity (OAU) member in 1984; Morocco between 1980 and 1987 built a fortified sand berm delineating the roughly 75% of Western Sahara west of the barrier that currently is controlled by Morocco; guerrilla activities continued sporadically until a UN-monitored cease-fire was implemented on 6 September 1991 (Security Council Resolution 690) by the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO). The legal system makes use of n/a.
| Governing Type | legal status of territory and issue of sovereignty unresolved; territory contested by Morocco and Polisario Front (Popular Front for the Liberation of the Saguia el Hamra and Rio de Oro), which in February 1976 formally proclaimed a government-in-exile of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR), near Tindouf, Algeria, led by President Mohamed ABDELAZIZ until his death in May 2016; current President Brahim GHALI elected in July 2016; territory partitioned between Morocco and Mauritania in April 1976 when Spain withdrew, with Morocco acquiring northern two-thirds; Mauritania, under pressure from Polisario guerrillas, abandoned all claims to its portion in August 1979; Morocco moved to occupy that sector shortly thereafter and has since asserted administrative control; the Polisario’s government-in-exile was seated as an Organization of African Unity (OAU) member in 1984; Morocco between 1980 and 1987 built a fortified sand berm delineating the roughly 75% of Western Sahara west of the barrier that currently is controlled by Morocco; guerrilla activities continued sporadically until a UN-monitored cease-fire was implemented on 6 September 1991 (Security Council Resolution 690) by the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) |
| Citizenship by Birth | n/a |
| Citizenship by Descent | n/a |
| Dual Citizenship | n/a |
| Residency Requirement for Naturalization | n/a |
| Suffrage Vote | none; (residents of Moroccan-controlled Western Sahara participate in Moroccan elections) |
Economy of Western Sahara
From a population total of 652,271, the labor force is 144,000 (2010 est.). The main products in agriculture are: fruits and vegetables (grown in the few oases); camels, sheep, goats (kept by nomads); fish. Among the main industries considerable for the economy are: phosphate mining, handicrafts. Its exports cover phosphates 62% (2012 est.). The main import products are: fuel for fishing fleet, foodstuffs.
| Exports | NA |
| Imports | NA |
| Export Partners | n/a |
| Import Partners | n/a |
| GDP / Capita | $2,500 (2007 est.) |
| Electricity Production | 0 kWh NA (2016 est.) |
| Electrification Rate | n/a |
| Internet Users | n/a |
| Internet Penetration Rate | n/a (n/a) |
For latest imports and exports data we recommend checking the website for the National Bank of Western Sahara, statistics sectio
