Practical reference
Moroccan dirham (MAD)
Western Sahara uses Moroccan dirham (MAD), calling code +212, internet domain .eh.
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Northern AfricaWestern Sahara
الصحراء الغربية
Western Sahara is a country or territory in Northern Africa. Its capital is El-Aaiun.
- Capital
- El-Aaiun
Western Sahara is located in Northern Africa, and its capital is El-Aaiun. Its official currency is the Moroccan dirham (MAD).
What stands out
About Western Sahara
Western Sahara is a sparsely populated desert territory on the Atlantic coast of North Africa, the status of which remains one of the world's long-running unresolved disputes. Most of it is administered by Morocco, while the Polisario Front seeks an independent state. Its largest city is El-Aaiun.
The territory is overwhelmingly desert, an extension of the Sahara, with flat, arid plains, rocky escarpments and a long Atlantic coastline rich in fishing grounds. Rainfall is extremely scarce and the climate is hot and dry, moderated near the coast by ocean breezes.
The population is largely Sahrawi, an Arab-Berber people with strong nomadic and tribal traditions, Hassaniya Arabic speech, and a culture of poetry, music and tea. Islam is the predominant faith, and many Sahrawis also live in refugee camps in neighbouring Algeria.
Formerly the colony of Spanish Sahara, the territory was left in dispute when Spain withdrew in 1975. Morocco asserted control while the Polisario Front declared the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic. A UN-brokered ceasefire held for decades, but the territory's final political status remains unresolved.
Key facts
- Its sovereignty is disputed between Morocco and the Polisario Front.
- It is one of the most sparsely populated territories on Earth.
- Most of the land is Saharan desert.
- Its coastal waters are rich in valuable fish stocks.
This overview is AI-assisted and grounded with available atlas facts and reference material. Treat linked primary data as authoritative. Read the methodology.
Country data & reference
Capital
El-Aaiun
Region / Subregion
Native Name
الصحراء الغربية
Nationality
Sahrawi, Sahrawian, Sahraouian
Currency
Moroccan dirham (MAD - MAD)Phone Code
+212
Top-Level Domain
.eh
ISO Codes
EH / ESH
Coordinates
24.5, -13
Time zones
- Africa/El_Aaiun (UTC+01:00)
Population, area and economic figures use the latest available values from World Bank Open Data; reporting years can vary by country. See sources and methodology for indicator definitions, mapping attribution, and editorial limitations.
Western Sahara: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the capital of Western Sahara?
The capital of Western Sahara is El-Aaiun.
What currency is used in Western Sahara?
Western Sahara uses the Moroccan dirham (MAD), with the symbol MAD.
Where is Western Sahara located?
Western Sahara is located in Northern Africa, Africa.
What is the native name of Western Sahara?
The native name of Western Sahara is الصحراء الغربية.
What are people from Western Sahara called?
People from Western Sahara are referred to as Sahrawi, Sahrawian, Sahraouian.
What is the phone calling code for Western Sahara?
The international dialing code for Western Sahara is +212.
What is the internet domain for Western Sahara?
The country code top-level domain (ccTLD) for Western Sahara is .eh.
What time zone is Western Sahara in?
Western Sahara uses the Africa/El_Aaiun time zone.
What is Western Sahara known for?
Western Sahara is a sparsely populated desert territory on the Atlantic coast of North Africa, the status of which remains one of the world's long-running unresolved disputes. Most of it is administered by Morocco, while the Polisario Front seeks an independent state. Its largest city is El-Aaiun.