Western Sahara

Western Sahara is situated in North Africa, sharing the borders the Morocco to the north, Algeria in the northeast, Mauritania to the east and south. The Atlantic Ocean bounds the territory on the west. The Kingdom of Morocco and the Polisario Front contest over the control of the region. The territory is one of the Non-Self-Governing Territories of the UK since 1960. The sovereignty of the territory is still in question. Western Sahara is among the least populous territories of the world. El Aaiún is the largest city of Western Sahara.

HISTORY:- The Berbers occupied the land in the Middle Ages, followed by the Muslim Bedouins. Islam was introduced in the land in the 8th century. The Spanish Crown claimed Rio de Oro, the southern coastal region, followed by their annexation of Saguia el Hamra, the northern interior region in 1934. In 1958, the two regions were merged to form Spanish Sahara. After the Spanish power deemed in the region in 1976, Morocco and Mauritania divided the land between them. Independence movements started. Mauritania withdrew its control to Polisario in 1979, which Morocco took over. In 1991 cease-fire, UN organized a referendum to decide the fate of Western Sahara. But the referendum was repeatedly postponed due to political disputes. James A. Baker proposed that instead of that referendum, Western Sahara should consider itself as an autonomous region of Morocco in 2001. But the proposal was rejected by the Polisario. The Moroccan king Mohammed VI announced that he would not leave the land in 2002. The 2003 UN Security Council resolution, granting the semi-autonomy of Western Sahara was rejected by Morocco. Since 2007, the Government of Morocco and the Polisario Front met several times to negotiate over the future status of Western Sahara.

GEOGRAPHY:-Western Sahara is located at 24 30 N, 13 00 W in Northern Africa. The total area of the proposed state is 266,000 sq km with no major internal water sources. The total coastline is 1,110 km long along with the North Atlantic Ocean. The lowest point is Sebjet Tah (-55 m) while the highest point is an unnamed location (805 m). The region is mostly low and flat desert with large mountainous areas of sandy surfaces rising to the small hilly region in the south and the northeast.

CLIMATE:- The predominant climate of Western Sahara is hot and dry desert with sparse rainfall.

GOVERNMENT:- Western Sahara is considered as the non-autonomous territory by the United Nations. The control of the region is an apple of discord between Morocco and Polisario Front. Morocco has a constitutional monarchy, whilst the government-in-exile follows single-party parliamentary and presidential system. But in accordance of the constitution of the exiled government, the region will embrace multi-party system as soon as it will gain independence.

ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISIONS:- There are no administrative divisions of the territory.

CULTURE:- The culture of the region is a blend of Arab-Berber culture.

ECONOMY:- Pastoral nomadism, fishing, and phosphate mining are the main sources of living for the inhabitants of the territory.

Arable land: 0.02%.

Agriculture: Fruits and vegetables (grown in the few oases); camels, sheep, goats (kept by nomads); fish.

Labor force: 12,000; animal husbandry and subsistence farming 50%.

Industries: Phosphate mining, handicrafts.

Natural resources: phosphates, iron ore.

Exports: Phosphates 62%.

Imports: Fuel for fishing fleet, foodstuffs.

Major trading partners: Morocco

Monetary unit: Tala.

LANGUAGE:- Hassaniya Arabic, Spanish, Moroccan Arabic

CITIES:- There is no formal capital in Western Sahara but El Aaiún is the largest city of the territory.

POPULATION:- The estimated population of Western Sahara is 382,617 with an average growth rate of 2.9.

Density per sq mi: 4

Literacy rate: NA

RACE:- Ethnic groups like Arab and Berber reside in the region of Western Sahara.

RELIGION:- Islam is the major and only religion of the territory.

HEALTH:-

Birth rate: 39.95 births/1,000 population (2008 est.)

Death rate: 11.74 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.)

Infant mortality rate: total: 71.13 deaths/1,000 live births

Life expectancy at birth: total population: 53.92 years

Total fertility rate: NA 5.69 children born/woman (2008 est.)

HIV/AIDS deaths: NA

TRANSPORTATION:-

Railways: 0 km.

Highways: total: 6,200 km; paved: 1,350 km; unpaved: 4,850 km (1991 est.).

Ports and harbors: Ad Dakhla, Cabo Bojador, Laayoune (El Aaiun).

Airports: 11 (2006).