Western Sahara is a disputed Saharan territory on Africa's north-west Atlantic coast, claimed by both the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic and Morocco, with a long Atlantic coastline and Saharan interior.
Geography & landscape
Western Sahara sits in Northern Africa, in the northern hemisphere of Africa. With an area of approximately 266,000 km², it is a mid-sized country, set in the northern hemisphere and exposed to the sub-tropical climate band typical of its latitude. Its capital, Laayoune (claimed), lies near coordinates 24.5°, -13°.
The country shares the cultural and geographic context of Africa, with neighbouring states and trade routes shaped by its position in the wider Northern Africa region. Topography, watersheds and coastline (where present) define the practical realities of agriculture, settlement and transport across Western Sahara.
People & society
The population of Western Sahara is around 580K. Communities, dialects and customs vary by region, and the country’s sense of identity is shaped by its history, its borders and the everyday rhythms of its towns and cities.
Western Sahara recognises multiple official languages — Arabic and Spanish — reflecting the cultural plurality at the heart of national life. The choice of language often shifts with region, audience and context.
Government & politics
Western Sahara is structured as a disputed. Political authority is exercised through institutions based primarily in Laayoune (claimed), with the head of state and head of government performing constitutional roles defined by the country’s legal framework. Domestic policy, foreign relations and the administration of public services all flow from this constitutional core.
Economy & currency
The official currency of Western Sahara is the Moroccan Dirham (MAD). Monetary policy, banking, taxation and trade are managed nationally, often in coordination with regional and international institutions. Major economic activity tends to cluster around Laayoune (claimed) and other principal urban centres, with secondary economies built on the country’s natural resources, manufacturing capacity and service industries.
Culture & everyday life
The cultural footprint of Western Sahara shows up in cuisine, music, sport, religious life, festivals and design. National holidays mark the country’s historical pivots; family meals, café culture and street life follow patterns rooted in geography and tradition. International audiences usually meet Western Sahara through its sport, its music, its food, or the global diaspora that carries those things abroad.
Travel essentials
The capital, Laayoune (claimed), is the natural starting point for first-time visitors. International dialling uses the country code +212, and clocks are set to the WET (UTC+0) time zone. ISO standards identify Western Sahara as EH (alpha-2) and ESH (alpha-3) — useful when booking flights, decoding number plates, or matching customs paperwork. The flag, 🇪🇭, appears at every border post and on every passport.
By the numbers
Sort or filter the table below to compare key metrics at a glance.
| Metric | Value | Unit / Note |
|---|---|---|
| Capital city | Laayoune (claimed) | — |
| Continent | Africa | — |
| Sub-region | Northern Africa | — |
| Population | 580K | people |
| Area | 266,000 | km² |
| Currency | Moroccan Dirham (MAD) | — |
| Calling code | +212 | international dialling |
| Time zone | WET (UTC+0) | standard time |
| Government type | Disputed | — |
| ISO 3166 alpha-2 | EH | 2-letter code |
| ISO 3166 alpha-3 | ESH | 3-letter code |
| Latitude | 24.5 | degrees |
| Longitude | -13 | degrees |
Did you know?
Western Sahara is the most sparsely populated territory in Africa and one of the least densely populated places in the world.
