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°W |
| Area | Ranked 78th |
| • Total | 266,000 km2 (103,000 sq mi) |
| Coastline | 1,110 km (690 mi) |
| 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 [citation needed] |
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
Size
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
Terrain
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: Atlantic Ocean 0 m [citation needed]
- Highest point: unnamed location 805 m
Natural resources
Phosphates, iron ore, and fishing resources on Atlantic Ocean coast
Land use
Arable land: 0.02%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 99.98% (2005)
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. Flash flooding occurs during spring months.
Environment
Climate
Western Sahara has a hot desert climate (Köppen climate classification BWh). Annual average rainfall is below 50 mm (1,96 in) everywhere. Along the Atlantic coast, averages high and low temperatures are constant and very moderated throughout the year because cool offshore ocean currents considerably cool off the climate, especially during the day. However, summertime is long and extremely hot and wintertime is short and very warm to truly hot further in the interior, where cooling marine influences aren't felt anymore. Average high temperatures exceed 40 °C (104 °F) in summer during a prolonged period of time but can reach as high as 50 °C (122 °F) or even more in places such as Smara, Tichla, Bir Gandus, Bir Anzarane, Aghouinite, Aousserd and others. Average high temperatures exceed 20 °C (68 °F) in winter but average low temperatures can drop to 7 °C (44.6 °F) in some places. The sky is usually clear and bright throughout the year and sunny weather is the norm.
Current issues
Sparse water and lack of arable land.
Extreme points
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.
- Northernmost points – the border with Morocco*
- Easternmost 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 circle of latitude
- Note: Western Sahara does not have an eastern-most point, the border being formed by a meridian
