Geography of Western Sahara
| Geography of Western Sahara | |
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| Continent | Africa |
| Region | North Africa |
| Coordinates | 24°30′N 13°00′W / 24.500°N 13.000°WCoordinates: 24°30′N 13°00′W / 24.500°N 13.000°W |
| Area | Ranked 78th 266,000 km2 |
| Coastline | 1,110 km |
| Borders | 2,046 km (Algeria 42 km, Mauritania 1,561 km, Morocco 443 km) |
| Highest point | unnamed elevation 805 m |
| Lowest point | Sebjet Tah, -55 m |
Western Sahara is a territory in Northern Africa, bordered by the North Atlantic Ocean, Morocco proper, Algeria (Tindouf region), and Mauritania. Geographic coordinates: 24°30′N 13°00′W / 24.500°N 13.000°W
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Size [edit]
Total: 266,060 km², about the size of Colorado
- land: 266,000 km²
- water: 0 km²
- Coastline: 1,110 km;
- Land boundaries: 2,046 km, Algeria 42 km, Mauritania 1,561 km, Morocco 443 km
- Saguia el-Hamra is the northern third with the city El Aaiún.
- 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
Land [edit]
Terrain [edit]
The terrain is 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 805 m
Natural resources [edit]
phosphates, iron ore, fishing resources on Atlantic Ocean coast
Land use [edit]
Arable land: 0.02%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 99.98% (2005)
Irrigated land: NA km²
Natural hazards [edit]
Hot, dry, dust/sand-laden sirocco wind can occur during winter and spring; widespread harmattan haze exists 60% of time, often severely restricting visibility. Flash flooding occurs during spring months.
Environment [edit]
Climate [edit]
Hot, dry desert; rain is rare; cold offshore air currents produce fog and heavy dew.
Current issues [edit]
sparse water and lack of arable land
Extreme points [edit]
This is a list of the extreme points of Western Sahara, the points that are farther north, south, east or west than any other location.
- Northern-most points – the border with Morocco*
- Eastern-most points – the northern section of the border with Mauritania/Algeria**
- Southernmost point – the southern tip of Ras Nouadhibou/(Cap Blanc)
- Westernmost point - Cape Dubouchage on Ras Nouadhibou
- *Note: Western Sahara does not have a northern-most point, the border being formed by a straight horizontal line
- **Note: Western Sahara does not have an eastern-most point, the border being formed by a straight vertical line
External links [edit]
Maps [edit]
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