Did Western Sahara ever belong to Morocco?
Did Western Sahara ever belong to Morocco?
Western Sahara is a sparsely-populated area of mostly desert situated on the northwest coast of Africa. A former Spanish colony, it was annexed by Morocco in 1975. Since then it has been the subject of a long-running territorial dispute between Morocco and its indigenous Saharawi people, led by the Polisario Front.
Why is the border between Morocco and Western Sahara dotted?
However, Morocco withholds that the former colony of Spanish Sahara remains Moroccan soil. It is named “Western Sahara” and there is a dashed line in the north towards Morocco. This is due to the status as a “Non-Self-Governing Territory” the U.N has given it.
Who occupied Western Sahara?
Occupied by Spain until 1975, Western Sahara has been on the United Nations list of non-self-governing territories since 1963 after a Moroccan demand. It is the most populous territory on that list, and by far the largest in area.
Why is Morocco split in half?
The conflict originated from an insurgency by the Polisario Front against Spanish colonial forces from 1973 to 1975 and the subsequent Western Sahara War against Morocco between 1975 and 1991. The conflict escalated after the withdrawal of Spain from the Spanish Sahara in accordance with the Madrid Accords.
Who owns Western Sahara?
Morocco
About 20% of the territory is controlled by the self-proclaimed Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, 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 is Western Sahara famous for?
Western Sahara is virtually all desert and is very sparsely inhabited. The Kasbah and mosque in the town of Semara (Smara) are among the major Muslim monuments in Western Sahara. The principal city is Laayoune, the old colonial capital.
What is the history of 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. Some Trans-Saharan trade routes also traversed Western Sahara. In 1884, Spain claimed a protectorate over the coast from Cape Bojador to Cape Blanc, and the area was later extended.
What language do they speak in Morocco?
Arabic
Standard Moroccan Berber
Morocco/Official languages
In Morocco there are two official languages, Arabic and Amazigh, which are spoken in the streets and villages of Morocco. Classical Arabic, more commonly known as Literary Arabic, is the administrative language of the country. Generally speaking, you will hear Moroccan Arabic spoken in the streets.
Why do Morocco and Algeria hate each other?
Despite their history as allies under French colonial rule, Morocco and Algeria have been embroiled in serious territory disputes. Morocco’s invasion into Algeria in 1963 began the Sand War, which killed hundreds of people and defined the two countries’ bitter relationship.
What language do they speak in Western Sahara?
Arabic
Western Sahara/Official languages
Hassaniya, an Arabic dialect, is the native language spoken in Western Sahara and in the refugee camps in Tindouf in Algeria. There is also a significant presence of Berber language speakers in the northern parts of the territory of Western Sahara.
Why does Morocco want Western Sahara?
Morocco wants Western Sahara to remain as an autonomous, self-governing part of its territory, in a fashion similar to the autonomous communities in Spain. The Polisario Front, backed by Algeria, demands a referendum on the region’s independence, which the U.N.’s mission in the region is ostensibly aimed at facilitating.
Did Morocco take over Western Sahara?
Morocco annexed Western Sahara, a former Spanish colony, in 1975. That sparked a bloody conflict, which left tens of thousands of refugees stranded in desert camps. A United Nations-brokered agreement in 1991 led to an uneasy truce.
What islands are off the coast of Morocco and Western Sahara?
The Canary Islands are a Spanish archipelago located just off the northwest coast of mainland Africa, 100 km west of the border between Morocco and the Western Sahara. The Canaries are a Spanish autonomous community and an outermost region of the European Union .
Is Morrocco in a territorial dispute with Western Sahara?
Morocco firmly states its claim to sovereignty over Western Sahara is non-negotiable , despite rival claims by the pro-independence Polisario Front, which fought a long war with Rabat between 1976 and 1991.
