Western Sahara: Geography#
Location | Northern Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Mauritania and Morocco |
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Geographic Coordinates | 24 30 N, 13 00 W 24.5,-13.0 |
Land boundaries | total: 2,046 km border countries: Algeria 42 km, Mauritania 1,561 km, Morocco 443 km |
Coastline | 1,110 km |
Elevation Extremes | lowest point: Sebjet Tah -55 m highest point: unnamed elevation 805 m |
Highest Mountains | |
Terrain | mostly low, flat desert with large areas of rocky or sandy surfaces rising to small mountains in south and northeast |
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 |
Natural Resource | phosphates, iron ore |
Land Use | arable land: 0.02% permanent crops: 0% other: 99.98% (2011) |
Climate | hot, dry desert; rain is rare; cold offshore air currents produce fog and heavy dew |
Irrigated Land | NA |
Renewable Water Resources | NA |
Environment_CurrentIssues | sparse water and lack of arable land |
Environment - international agreements | party to: none of the selected agreements |
Large Cities | |
Geography-note | the waters off the coast are particularly rich fishing areas |