Page last updated on February 8,

Location:
Northern Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Mauritania and Morocco

Geographic coordinates:
24 30 N, 13 00 W

Map references:
Africa

Area:
total: 266,000 sq km
[see also: Area - total country ranks ]
country comparison to the world: 78
land: 266,000 sq km
[see also: Area - land country ranks ]
water: 0 sq km
[see also: Area - water country ranks ]

Area - comparative:
about the size of Colorado

Land boundaries:
total: 2,046 km
border countries: Algeria 42 km, Mauritania 1,561 km, Morocco 443 km
[see also: Land boundaries country ranks ]

Coastline:
1,110 km
[see also: Coastline country ranks ]

Maritime claims:
contingent upon resolution of sovereignty issue

Climate:
hot, dry desert; rain is rare; cold offshore air currents produce fog and heavy dew

Terrain:
mostly low, flat desert with large areas of rocky or sandy surfaces rising to small mountains in south and northeast

Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Sebjet Tah -55 m
[see also: Elevation extremes - lowest point country ranks ]
highest point: unnamed elevation 805 m
[see also: Elevation extremes - highest point country ranks ]

Natural resources:
phosphates, iron ore

Land use:
arable land: 0.02%
[see also: Land use - arable land country ranks ]
permanent crops: 0%
[see also: Land use - permanent crops country ranks ]
other: 99.98% (2005)
[see also: Land use - other country ranks ]

Irrigated land:
NA
[see also: Irrigated land country ranks ]

Natural hazards:
hot, dry, dust/sand-laden sirocco wind can occur during winter and spring; widespread harmattan haze exists 60% of time, often severely restricting visibility

Environment - current issues:
sparse water and lack of arable land

Environment - international agreements:
party to: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:
the waters off the coast are particularly rich fishing areas