Western Sahara
Capital
Laayoune (controlled by Morocco), Tifariti (proclaimed by Polisario Front)
Population
~600,000
Currency
Moroccan dirham (MAD) in controlled areas, Algerian dinar (DZD) and Mauritanian ouguiya (MRU) in refugee camps
Quick Facts
- Languages
- Arabic, Hassaniya dialect, Spanish
- Religion
- Sunni Islam
- Climate
- Harsh desert; extremely arid with minimal rainfall
Culture & History
Known for: being a disputed territory in North Africa with ongoing conflict between Morocco and the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR)
Also famous for: vast phosphate reserves, nomadic Berber heritage, and one of the world's longest minefield barriers (Berm)
Food: Camel milk, couscous with lamb, and traditional Sahrawi tea ceremony
Brief History
Former Spanish colony (Spanish Sahara until 1975); contested by Morocco, Mauritania, and Polisario Front; UN-administered since 1991 ceasefire; approximately 80% controlled by Morocco, with remaining areas administered by SADR or as buffer zones