Western Sahara
North Africa · territory
Western Sahara is a territory in North Africa, home to 590,000 people, with an area of 266,000 km². Its capital is El Aaiún.
- Capital
- El Aaiún
- Population
- 590,000
- Area
- 266,000 km²
- Region
- North Africa
- Density
- 2.2 / km²
- Status
- Dependency or territory
Population: UN World Population Prospects, 2024 revision. Area: CIA World Factbook.
What Western Sahara is known for
Western Sahara is best known for The Sahara Desert, Laayoune Plage and Dakhla.
Western Sahara is a disputed territory in North Africa, bordered by Morocco, Algeria, and Mauritania. The official language of Western Sahara is Spanish, due to its colonial history under Spain. However, Arabic is also widely spoken and serves as the primary language among the Sahrawi people, who are the indigenous inhabitants of Western Sahara. French is also commonly spoken, especially in urban areas. As Western Sahara remains a contested territory, the use of language is often a political issue, and efforts are being made to preserve and promote the Sahrawi dialect of Hassaniya Arabic. Despite ongoing political disputes, the language diversity and cultural richness of Western Sahara continue to be a source of pride and resilience for its people.
Western Sahara at a glance
- Language
- Hassaniya Arabic and Spanish are the official languages, with French and other indigenous languages also spoken
- Currency
- Moroccan dirham (MAD) and Algerian dinar (DZD) are commonly used, although the Sahrawi peseta (EHP) is the official currency of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic
- Religion
- Sunni Islam is the predominant religion in Western Sahara
- National dish
- Although Elcouscous is the national dish, other popular foods in Western Sahara include couscous with vegetables, meat, or fish, lentils, and fried bread.
- Climate
- Western Sahara has a hot desert climate with extremely high temperatures and low precipitation
- Main industries
- Fishing and phosphate mining are the main industries in Western Sahara
- GDP
- $908.9 million (2007 est)
- Development
- Western Sahara is not recognized as a sovereign state by the United Nations and its human development index (HDI) is not available
Things to do in Western Sahara
There are several attractions in Western Sahara, including:
- The Sahara Desert Western Sahara is home to a large portion of the Sahara Desert, which is known for its unique landscapes and natural beauty.
- El-Aaiún: the largest city and capital of Western Sahara, known for its traditional markets and historic landmarks.
- Laayoune Plage a popular beach destination located in the city of El-Aaiún.
- Dakhla a coastal city in the south of Western Sahara, known for its fishing industry and water sports.
- Boujdour a city located in the north of Western Sahara, known for its historic sites and natural beauty.
These are just a few examples of the attractions that Western Sahara has to offer. However, due to its disputed status and limited tourism industry, information about the country's attractions is relatively scarce.
Western Sahara on video
The player loads when you press play — nothing is requested from the video host before that.
Western Sahara compared with its neighbours
How it sits against the other countries of North Africa.
| Country | Population | Area | Capital |
|---|---|---|---|
 Morocco | 38.1 million | 446,550 km² | Rabat |
 Tunisia | 12.3 million | 163,610 km² | Tunis |
 Libya | 7.4 million | 1,759,540 km² | Tripoli |
| Western Sahara | 590,000 | 266,000 km² | El Aaiún |
Questions about Western Sahara
What is the capital of Western Sahara?
The capital of Western Sahara is El Aaiún.
How many people live in Western Sahara?
About 590,000 people.
How big is Western Sahara?
Western Sahara covers 266,000 km², in North Africa.
What is Western Sahara known for?
Western Sahara is best known for The Sahara Desert, Laayoune Plage and Dakhla.
What language is spoken in Western Sahara?
Hassaniya Arabic and Spanish are the official languages, with French and other indigenous languages also spoken.
What currency is used in Western Sahara?
Moroccan dirham (MAD) and Algerian dinar (DZD) are commonly used, although the Sahrawi peseta (EHP) is the official currency of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic.
Is Western Sahara a country?
Western Sahara is a dependency or overseas territory rather than a sovereign state, so it appears only when territories are switched on in the generator.