Geography of Western Sahara
Location:
Northern Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Mauritania and Morocco
Geographic coordinates:
24 30 N, 13 00 W
Map references:
Africa
Area:
Area - comparative:
about the size of Colorado
Land boundaries:
Coastline:
1,110 km
Maritime claims:
contingent upon resolution of sovereignty issue
Climate:
hot, dry desert; rain is rare; cold offshore air currents produce fog and heavy dew
Terrain:
mostly low, flat desert with large areas of rocky or sandy surfaces rising to small mountains in south and northeast
Elevation extremes:
Natural resources:
phosphates, iron ore
Land use:
Irrigated land:
NA sq km
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
Environment - current issues:
sparse water and lack of arable land
Environment - international agreements:
total:
266,000 sq km
land:
266,000 sq km
water:
0 sq km
total:
2,046 km
border countries:
Algeria 42 km, Mauritania 1,561 km, Morocco 443 km
lowest point:
Sebjet Tah -55 m
highest point:
unnamed location 463 m
arable land:
0%
permanent crops:
0%
permanent pastures:
19%
forests and woodland:
0%
other:
81%
party to:
none of the selected agreements
signed, but not ratified:
none of the selected agreements