According to Baglib, Western Sahara is a desert region located in Northwest Africa. It is bordered by Morocco to the north, Algeria to the northeast, Mauritania to the east and south, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west. The country has an area of approximately 266,000 square kilometers (103,000 square miles) and a population of around 500,000. The terrain is mostly flat with some low hills in the northern part of the country. The climate is arid with hot summers and warm winters. There are very few permanent rivers or lakes in Western Sahara; however, there are numerous ephemeral streams which can fill with water after rainstorms.
The region’s major natural resources include phosphates, iron ore, gypsum and fish stocks off its coast. There are also small deposits of oil and gas located offshore. Agriculture is limited due to the arid climate and lack of water resources; however, some subsistence farming occurs in areas where sufficient groundwater can be found. Animal husbandry is also practiced by local nomadic tribes as well as some sedentary populations who rely on their herds for sustenance and income. The fishing industry plays an important role in providing food for local communities as well as a source of export income for the country. Mineral extraction has increased significantly since 2000 due to growing demand from other African countries; however, this sector remains relatively small compared to agriculture or fishing activities
Mountains
Western Sahara is home to some of the most beautiful mountains in the world, such as the Rguibat Mountains, Jebel Uweinat, and Jebel Ishrir. The Rguibat Mountains are located in the northern region of Western Sahara and are known for their rugged terrain. They reach heights of up to 1,500 meters and are composed mainly of sandstone. The area is also home to a variety of wildlife including birds, reptiles, and mammals.
Jebel Uweinat is a mountain range located in the southeastern part of Western Sahara near the border with Algeria and Libya. It is composed mainly of granite and is one of the highest mountain ranges in Africa at an elevation of 2,082 meters above sea level. It is also home to numerous species of plants and animals including gazelles, jackals, foxes, hyenas, and lizards.
Finally, there is Jebel Ishrir which lies in the north-central region near Morocco’s border with Western Sahara. It reaches heights up to 1,800 meters above sea level and consists mainly of limestone rocks with some sandstone formations as well. It is known for its unique flora and fauna including acacia trees and various species of birds such as vultures and owls.
Rivers
The Oued Draa is the longest river in Western Sahara, running for a total of 600 miles (966 km) through the desert. It originates in the Anti-Atlas Mountains of Morocco and flows westward, crossing into Western Sahara near Guelmim before continuing southward to reach the Atlantic Ocean near Tan-Tan. Along its course, it passes through several oases and provides water for nomadic tribes living in the area. The Draa is an intermittent river, with periods of high water during the wet season that can last up to three months between November and February. During this time, its waters may reach as far south as Dakhla.
The Sebou River is another major river located in Western Sahara. It begins just north of Marrakech in Morocco and flows southwards along the western edge of Western Sahara before eventually emptying into the Atlantic Ocean near El Aaiun. The Sebou River has been a key source of irrigation water throughout history and continues to be important for local communities today. In addition to providing drinking water, it is also used for fishing, livestock watering, and crop irrigation along its course. Further downstream, it serves as a habitat for various species of birds such as flamingos and pelicans which flock to its banks during their migrations across Africa each year.
Lakes
Western Sahara is a region in northern Africa that has a diverse array of natural features, including major lakes. The largest lake in the region is Lac Iriki, located near the Algerian border. It is an endorheic lake, meaning it does not have an outflow to any other body of water. Despite this, it is still quite large and can support a variety of aquatic life. The lake’s waters are fed by several rivers and also from groundwater sources. Due to its location in the desert, Lac Iriki experiences drastic seasonal changes in water levels. During times of heavy rain, the lake’s surface area can expand significantly; however, during dry periods the lake can become completely dry or close to it. The region around Lac Iriki is home to a variety of wildlife including birds, small mammals, reptiles, amphibians and fish.
The second largest lake in Western Sahara is Daya el-Malah or “Lake of Salt”. This shallow saline lake lies east of Dakhla near the Mauritanian border and has no permanent surface water source due to its location in an arid climate zone. Its waters are fed by seasonal rains and groundwater sources that are prone to evaporating quickly due to high temperatures and low humidity levels common in this area. Despite these challenging conditions, Daya el-Malah still supports some aquatic life such as small crustaceans and fish species adapted to living in brackish waters with high salinity levels. As with Lac Iriki, Daya el-Malah experiences drastic seasonal changes with its water levels dropping dramatically during dry periods when there is little rainfall or groundwater influx into the lake bed.
