Western Sahara

American  

noun

1. a region in northwestern Africa on the Atlantic coast, bounded by Morocco, Algeria, and Mauritania: a former Spanish province comprising Río de Oro and Saguia el Hamra 1884–1976; divided between Morocco and Mauritania 1976; claimed entirely by Morocco 1979, but still under dispute. About 102,700 square miles (266,000 square kilometers).

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Western Sahara British  

noun

1. Former name (until 1975): Spanish Sahara.  a disputed region of NW Africa, on the Atlantic: mainly desert; rich phosphate deposits; a Spanish overseas province from 1958 to 1975; partitioned in 1976 between Morocco and Mauritania who faced growing resistance from the Polisario Front, an organization aiming for the independence of the region as the Democratic Saharan Arab Republic. Mauritania renounced its claim in 1979 and it was taken over by Morocco. Polisario agreed to a UN-brokered ceasefire in 1991 but attempts to settle the status of the region have failed. Pop: 538 811 (2013 est). Area: 266 000 sq km (102 680 sq miles)

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Example Sentences

Morocco considers Western Sahara to be part of its sovereign territory, calling it its "southern provinces".

From BBC • May 24, 2026

It comes as the Moroccan government has invested heavily in developing tourism in Western Sahara in recent years.

From BBC • May 24, 2026

One of his first journalism jobs was working for syndicated columnist Jack Anderson; during that time Peter spent a year as a war correspondent, covering conflicts in Afghanistan, the Middle East and the Western Sahara.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 4, 2026

Many people in Western Sahara hope Morocco's long-discussed autonomy plan for the area -- now backed by the UN Security Council -- will accelerate development and end the half-century-long territorial dispute.

From Barron's • Nov. 18, 2025

The Moroccan Government controls all trade and other   economic activities in Western Sahara.

From The 2007 CIA World Factbook by United States. Central Intelligence Agency