Short facts about the 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:

total:  266,000 sq km land:  266,000 sq km water:  0 sq km

Area - comparative:

about the size of Colorado

Land boundaries:

total:  2,046 km border countries:  Algeria 42 km, Mauritania 1,561 km, Morocco 443 km

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:

lowest point:  Sebjet Tah -55 m highest point:  unnamed location 463 m

Natural resources:

phosphates, iron ore

Land use:

arable land:  0% permanent crops:  0% permanent pastures:  19% forests and woodland:  0% other:  81%

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:

party to:  none of the selected agreements signed, but not ratified:  none of the selected agreements

Source: World Factbook