Information About Western Sahara

History of Western Sahara

Morocco annexed the northern parts of the Western Sahara in 1976 after the government of Spain withdrew its colony from administering Morocco and they conquered the Mauritius and displaced them in 1979 thus acquiring all the territories within the Western Sahara. The united nation was established in the country in 1991 after a cease-fire operation ended the guerrilla war which was being started by the polisario front who aimed at overtaking the sovereignty of the Morocco's government. The united nation gave the freedom to the Western Saharan people to decide whether to choose the push for independence which was being claimed by the polisario or remain within the integration of Morocco by calling for a referendum although the disputes arising from the disagreement on the voter's eligibility prevented the referendum from taking place. From 1980 to 1987, the Moroccans decided to build a long defensive sand berm which separated them from the polisario where they included more than 80 percent of the Western Sahara territory which they control even up to date and maintain intensive security surveillance along the territory.

Geography of Western Sahara

Western Sahara neighbors both Morocco and Mauritius in the northern and the south eastern regions and it extends its western border into the Atlantic Ocean. The country covers a total area of 266, 00 square kilometers where none of its land is covered by water. Western Sahara is almost of the same size as Colorado with land boundaries of 2, 049 kilometers long and a coastline of 1, 110 kilometers long. The location of the country within the arid areas makes it inhospitable. The areas along the coasts are dominated by low and flat deserts while the northern areas are raised and dominated by several mountainous terrains rising up to a height of about 600 meters above the sea level. The areas under the deserts are usually rocky and the surface covered with sand grained soils. There are no permanent streams in Western Sahara although sometimes the region experience flooding. Sebjet Tah at negative 55 meters below the sea level is the lowest point within the country whiles there is an unnamed region with the height of 805 meters above the sea level which forms the most elevated region in the country.

Climate of Western Sahara

The hot desert climate is experienced within all parts of Western Sahara with many regions receiving very low rainfall. The cool offshore ocean currents from the Atlantic Ocean moderates the climate along the coast and maintains within averages high and low especially during the day. The summer periods in the country are usually very hot and long while the winter periods are very warm and short and the interiors where the influences of the marine climates are not experienced are extremely hot. The dry and dusty sirocco, which blows within the periods of winter and spring, usually interfere with the clear visibility affecting the transportation sector.

Natural Resources in Western Sahara

The sandy soils within the desert and the rocks are usually used for construction. The shores of the Red sea and the Atlantic Ocean coasts create great fishing grounds in Western Sahara. The mineral deposits of economic value such as the iron ores and phosphates are also found in the country.

Tourist Attraction in Western Sahara

Although the terrain of the Western Sahara does not favor the establishment of impressive landmarks and even its climatic condition, there are some recognizable sites which create some interest, to have a touch within the county. The cabo Blanco seal colony contains the caves where the Mediterranean monk seal, which are extremely rare in the world, exist in more than 200 groups; the giant natural monolith mountain of devils which are mystical and kept sacred by the people of Sahrawi and the Oum Dbaa dry cascade which is a seasonal waterfall created by the lime and salt containing spring waters are some of the major recognizable landmarks within western Sahara. The paintings of the wild animals and cattle on the rocks in irgharya rock art, the Neolithic rock arts on the granitic monoliths of the lejuard and the longest conveyor belt of the bou kraa conveyor belt which is the longest belt in the world at 100 kilometers long, are also important landmarks in Western Sahara. The largest cities within Western Sahara include:

• Laayuone
• Ad dakhla
• Samara
• Cape bojador
• El marsa
• Guelta zemmur
• Bir anzarane

Famous Hotels in Western Sahara

The famous hotels of Western Sahara are

• Bab al bahar hotel ET spa
• Hotel buenavista
• Hotel calipau Sahara
• Hotel erraha
• Hotel Sahara regency
• Hotel Josefina

Western Sahara Culture and Cuisine

Hassaniya dialect of Arabic is the common language shared by the Western Sahara's people and the northern Mauritius people. The people of the country are on the move to modernize the country where the leaders are encouraging the people to be educated end discouraging tribalism together with the emancipation of the women. The mefhla headscarves are worn by the women and the daraa robe is common attire in the country. The fishing and nomadic pastorals food products are imported into the country since the area is desert. Meifrisa is a common traditional meal stewed with either camel or goat meat and served along with the camel milk or the goat milk.

International Airports in Western Sahara

• Dakhla airport
• Hassan I airport
• Smara airport
• Oum Dreyga airport