Western Sahara

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).

Western Sahara

noun

1. 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) Former name (until 1975)Spanish Sahara

Example Sentences

But Morocco stands firmly on claims that it has historic links to the Western Sahara dating back many centuries.

From The Daily Beast

These are the Ghosts of the Sahara, Sahrawi refugees whose Western Sahara homeland was illegally invaded by Morocco in 1975.

From The Daily Beast

In all the western Sahara it abounds, producing the finest gums.

From Project Gutenberg

Dakar was the center of activities for the whole Western Sahara and down into the Sudan.

From Project Gutenberg

They fled along the caravan route that crosses the Western Sahara, and looked ever for the dust of a pursuing kafila.

From Project Gutenberg