Western Sahara
This Page was last updated on the 27th. October, 2005.
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|
Country |
Western Sahara |
|
Official Name |
Western Sahara |
| Former Name | Spanish Sahara, Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, Western Sahara (Morocco in guerrilla war with ‘Popular Front for the Liberation of the Saguia el Hamra and Rio de Oro’ (Polisario Front); Polisario Front proclaimed government-in-exile of Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) [led by President Mohamed Abdelaziz, recognized by 54 nations] in February 1976; territory partitioned between Morocco [northern two-thirds] and Mauritania in April 1976; Mauritania abandoned all claims and Morocco took its part in August 1979; Polisario's government-in-exile became OAU member in 1984; guerrilla activities continued until a UN-monitored cease-fire on 6 September 1991; status of territory still unresolved and referendum on final status has been repeatedly postponed.) |
|
Capital |
El Aaiun (Laayoune) |
|
Main Towns |
El Aaiun (Laayoune), Ad Dakhla, Cabo Bojador |
|
Subdivisions |
2 colonial and 4 Moroccan (under de facto control of Morocco) |
|
Independence |
Disputed territory awaiting UN referendum. Under control of Morocco. Polisario Front (Popular Front for the Liberation of the Saguia el Hamra and Rio de Oro) proclaimed the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) in February 1976. |
| Constitution | |
| National Holiday | |
|
UN Membership |
n/a |
|
OAU Membership |
February 1982 (seated as an OAU member in 1984) |
|
Commonwealth |
n/a |
|
Other Organisations |
n/a |
|
Population |
217,211 (July 1995), 250,559 (July 2001 est.) 261,794 (July 2003 est.) 273,008 (July 2005 est.) |
|
Area |
102,703 sq. mls. (266,000 sq. kms.) |
|
Density |
--- |
|
Highest Point |
unnamed 2,640 ft. (805 m.) |
|
Lowest Point |
Atlantic Ocean - sea level |
|
Neighbours |
Mauritania (S), Morocco (NE) |
|
Life Expectancy |
n/a |
| Infant Mortality Rate | n/a |
| HIV/AIDS | n/a |
|
Adult Literacy Rate |
n/a |
|
Ethnic Groups |
Arab, Berber |
|
Languages |
Hassaniya Arabic, Moroccan Arabic |
|
Religions |
Muslim 100% |
|
Type of Government |
Legal status of territory and sovereignty unresolved. Contested by Morocco, the Popular Front for the Liberation of the Saguia el Hamra and Rio de Oro (Polisaro), and Mauritania. Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) government-in-exile proclaimed in February 1976. |
|
President |
Mohamed Abdelaziz (leader of Polisario) |
|
Prime Minister |
--- |
|
Political Parties |
Popular Front for the Liberation of the Saguia el Hamra and Rio de Oro (Polisario Front) |
|
Ruling Party |
--- |
|
Currency |
Moroccan dirham (MAD) Moroccan dirhams per US dollar - 8.868 (2004), 9.5744 (2003), 11.0206 (2002), 11.303 (2001), 10.6256 (2000) |
|
GDP |
US$ |
|
GNP |
US$ |
| Per Capita Income | |
| Population Below Poverty Line | n/a |
| Land Use | arable land: 0.02% permanent crops: 0% other: 99.98% (2001) Irrigated land: NA sq km |
| Natural Resources | phosphates, iron ore |
| Oil and Natural Gas | production: 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) consumption: 1,800 bbl/day (2001 est.) exports: NA (2001) imports: NA (2001) |
| Military | n/a |
| Economic Aid Received | n/a |
|
Debt |
US$ |
|
Major Imports |
fuel for fishing fleet, foodstuffs |
|
Imports from |
Morocco claims and administers Western Sahara, so trade partners are included in overall Moroccan accounts (2000) |
|
Major Exports |
Phosphates 62% |
|
Exports to |
Morocco claims Western Sahara, see Morocco for trade partners. |
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|
The White Fathers, Sutton Coldfield, 27 October, 2005 |
Page 53 of 61 |