Western Sahara's Geography | Western Sahara Geography

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: 0.02% permanent crops: 0% other: 99.98% (2001)

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

Geography - note: The waters off the coast are particularly rich fishing areas

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