The country facts below refer only to the Western Sahara territory itself and do not include information about the Saharawi refugee camps in Algeria. For more information on the Saharawi refugees, go to “The Refugees”.

•Status

Western Sahara is a non-self-governing territory pending decolonization by a referendum process for Saharawi self-determination. Most of the territory is now occupied by Morocco. UN peace-keeping forces known as MINURSO have been present since 1991.

•Size
266,000 km², roughly the size of the UK. Its frontiers were defined in 1912 through a series of negotiations between Spain and France.

•The Berm
A reinforced sand wall built by Morocco to defend its occupation in Western Sahara. Stretches over 2,700km from SE corner of Morocco to the northern border of Mauritania. The Berm is manned by over 100,000 soldiers and protected by over 5million landmines. It encloses about 4/5ths of Western Sahara  dividing the territory between the occupied zone west of the berm and the Liberated Zones east of the berm.

•Capital
Al-Auin (spelt Laayoune under Morocco). Other major urban centres are Dakhla, Smara, Ausserd and Boujdour.

•Population
In occupied Western Sahara the Moroccan population is estimated to outnumber the indigenous Saharawis by 3 to 7 times their number, due to the large influx of settlers since 1991 and widespread presence of army and security forces. Rough estimates place Saharawi population at around 100,000 in the occupied zone and a few thousand nomads in the liberated zone.

•Language
Saharawi dialect Hassaniya, Moroccan dialect, French and Spanish. Since Morocco’s occupation French and Moroccan Arabic dialect dominate.

•Religion
Sunni Muslims. Saharawi Islamic practice is reknown for its tolerant and individualist views.

•Education
The educational system is based on a Moroccan-French curriculum. The Saharawi’s second language, Spanish, is no longer taught in schools. There is no university in Western Sahara.

•Life expectancy
62 years (men), 66 years (women)

•Media
Radio, press and TV are all run and controlled by the Moroccan state. There is no independent media.

•Human rights
Morocco has been repeatedly criticized for its actions in Western Sahara by international human rights organizations.

•Natural resources
Rich in minerals such as phosphates with major deposits in Bu Craa. Its rich fishing coasts are legendary and are a significant source of income for Morocco. Extensive exploratory surveys show signs of abundant off-shore oil.

•Economy
Traditionally  pastoral nomadism formed the basis of economic life. Since colonial times and under current situation. main source of income is fishing and phosphates (62% exports). Morocco signed agreements with the EU in 2006 to license out permits for fishing boats to operate off Western Sahara shores.

•Transport infrastucture
Three ports, one paved national highway and 11 airports.

•Major trading partners
Morocco claims and administers Western Sahara, so trade partners are included in overall Moroccan accounts

•Currency
Moroccan Dirham