World Factbook
Western Sahara
Last updated: 2026-03-28 (today)
Area
land
266,000 sq km
total
266,000 sq km
water
0 sq km
Climate
hot, dry desert; rain is rare; cold offshore air currents produce fog and heavy dew
Terrain
mostly low, flat desert with large areas of rocky or sandy surfaces rising to small mountains in south and northeast
Land use
other
78.5% (2011 est.)
forest
2.7% (2011 est.)
agricultural land
18.8% (2011 est.)
arable land / permanent crops / permanent pasture
0% (2011 est.) / 0% (2011 est.) / 18.8% (2011 est.)
Location
Northern Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Mauritania and Morocco
Coastline
1,110 km
Elevation
lowest point
Sebjet Tah -55 m
highest point
unnamed elevation 805 m
mean elevation
256 m
Irrigated land
0 sq km (2012)
Map references
Africa
Land boundaries
total
2,049 km
border countries
Algeria 41 km, Mauritania 1564 km, Morocco 444 km
Maritime claims
note
contingent upon resolution of sovereignty issue
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
Geography - note
the waters off the coast are particularly rich fishing areas
Natural resources
phosphates, iron ore
Area - comparative
about the size of Colorado
Geographic coordinates
24 30 N, 13 00 W
Population distribution
most of the population lives in the two-thirds of the area west of the berm (Moroccan-occupied) that divides the territory; about 40% of that populace resides in Laayoune as shown in this population distribution map
Environment - current issues
desertification; overgrazing; sparse water and lack of arable land