Who owns the Spanish Sahara?
Overview. Morocco has claimed authority over Western Sahara since 1975, but the United Nations (UN) does not recognize Moroccan control, calling Western Sahara a “non-self-governing territory.” Morocco controls the most populous area along the Atlantic coastline, more than three-quarters of the territory.
Who discovered Western Sahara?
The history of Western Sahara can be traced back to the times of Carthaginian explorer Hanno the Navigator in the 5th century BC.
Does anyone recognize Western Sahara?
As of September 2021, the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic is recognized by 41 out of a total of 193 United Nations member states. At different times, the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic has been recognized by 84 UN member states, but, of these, 43 have since “frozen” or “withdrawn” recognition.
Is Western Sahara Sunni or Shia?
The U.S. government estimates the total population at 587,000 (July 2016 estimate). The overwhelming majority of the population is Sunni Muslim. Christian leaders report there are dozens of Moroccan Christians, as well as a small group of foreign resident Roman Catholics.
What would happen if Morocco controlled Western Sahara?
Algeria’s motivations are also strategic, though. If Polisario controlled Western Sahara, Algeria would gain access to the Atlantic and easier routes into west Africa, while Morocco would be hemmed into the north-west corner of the continent. Instead it has watched Morocco exploit the territory.
Who Controls West Sahara?
About 20% of the territory is controlled by the self-proclaimed Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR), while the remaining 80% of the territory is occupied and administered by neighboring Morocco. Its surface area amounts to 266,000 square kilometres (103,000 sq mi).
What language does Western Sahara speak?
ArabicWestern Sahara / Official languageArabic is a Semitic language that first emerged in the 1st to 4th centuries CE. It is the lingua franca of the Arab world and the liturgical language of Islam. Wikipedia
Is Sahrawi Arab?
The matriarchal tradition of the Sahrawis is an Arab one that predates the arrival of Islam, and is a characteristic that they share with the other ethnic groups of the Sahel. Sahrawis are composed of many tribes and are largely speakers of the Hassaniya dialect of Arabic.
Is Morocco in a civil war?
The Western Sahara conflict is an ongoing conflict between the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic/Polisario Front and the Kingdom of Morocco….
| Western Sahara conflict | |
|---|---|
| Strength | |
| 3,000 troops (1973) 30,000 (1976) 150,000 (1988) 3,000–5,000 (1976) 18,000 (1978) | 5,000 (1976) |
| Casualties and losses |
Who colonized Morocco?
This map shows the division of colonized Morocco between Spain and France. The French Protectorate(green) controlled a larger portion of Morocco than the Spanish Protectorate(pink/red). The coastal city, Tangier(yellow), was an international zone while the rest of Morocco was taken over.
Why did Spain give up Sahara?
Spain gave up its Saharan possession following Moroccan demands and international pressure, mainly from United Nations resolutions regarding decolonisation. There was internal pressure from the native Sahrawi population, through the Polisario Front, and the claims of Morocco and Mauritania.
How much land does Morocco control in Western Sahara?
Is the Western Sahara Moroccan?
The official position of the Kingdom of Morocco since 1963 is that all of Western Sahara is an integral part of the kingdom. The Moroccan government refers to Western Sahara only as “Moroccan Sahara”, the “Saharan provinces”, or the “Southern Provinces”.
What is the Sahara religion?
The overwhelming majority of the population is Sunni Muslim. Christian leaders report there are dozens of Moroccan Christians, as well as a small group of foreign resident Roman Catholics.
Who are the Sahrawi people?
The Sahrawi, or Saharawi people ( Arabic: صحراويون ṣaḥrāwīyūn; Berber: Iseḥrawiyen; Moroccan Arabic: صحراوة Ṣeḥrawa; Spanish: Saharaui ), are an ethnic group and nation native to the western part of the Sahara desert, which includes the Western Sahara, southern Morocco, much of Mauritania, and the extreme southwest of Algeria .
What is the best book on Sahrawi population ethnography?
Best reference on Sahrawi population ethnography is the work of Spanish anthropologist Julio Caro Baroja, who in 1952-53 spent several months among native tribes all along the Spanish Sahara. He published in 1955 a monumental book on the subject, whose thoroughness and depth have not been equaled so far.
Who are the Sahrawi refugees in Mauritania?
Mauritania houses about 26,000 Sahrawi refugees, classified by UNHCR as “people in a refugee-like situation”. This population consists both of original refugees to the territory, and of former Tindouf dwellers who have since migrated to Mauritania.
What is Carl Ludwig best known for?
Carl Friedrich Wilhelm Ludwig (German: ; 29 December 1816 – 23 April 1895) was a German physician and physiologist. His work as both a researcher and teacher had a major influence on the understanding, methods and apparatus used in almost all branches of physiology.