Morocco virtually annexed the northern two-thirds of Western Sahara (formerly Spanish Sahara) in 1976, and the rest of the territory in 1979, following Mauritania's withdrawal.


Population 382,617: Arab, Berber
Capital City None - Major City Laayoune
Languages Hassaniya Arabic, Moroccan Arabic
Official Currency Moroccan Dirham
Religions Muslim


Land


Land Area 266,000 sq km (99,825 sq miles) - about the size of Colorado
Natural Resources: phosphates, iron ore.
Terrain: mostly low, flat desert with large areas of rocky or sandy surfaces rising to small mountains in south and northeast
Geography: the waters off the coast are particularly rich fishing areas.