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

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

When Spain pulled out of Western Sahara in 1975, both Morocco and the Polisario, which was founded two years earlier, claimed the territory.

From Barron's • Nov. 18, 2025

For decades British governments have refused to take sides over who should control Western Sahara, which is considered a "non-self-governing territory" by the UN.

From BBC • Jun. 2, 2025

However, a long-promised UN-brokered referendum to allow the people of Western Sahara to choose between independence or Moroccan control has never taken place.

From BBC • Jun. 2, 2025

Incomes and standards of living in Western Sahara are substantially below the Moroccan level.

From The 2002 CIA World Factbook by United States. Central Intelligence Agency