Western Sahara , Ayun

Introduction to Laâyoune, Western Sahara

Laâyoune is the principal city of Western Sahara, located on the Atlantic coast of northwestern Africa, on the western edge of the Sahara Desert. The city was founded by Spanish colonists in 1938 as the administrative center of the Western Sahara, and after the withdrawal of Spain in 1975, the sovereignty of Western Sahara was disputed, and it is now under the de facto control of Morocco as the capital of the "Laâyoune-Sakia El Hamra Region" under its jurisdiction.

Geography and climate

Laâyoune is situated in the dry Saguia el-Hamra valley, about 25 kilometers from the coast, at an average altitude of 60 meters above sea level. The city has a tropical desert climate, with little rainfall throughout the year, hot summers (average daily temperatures of 30°C or more) and mild winters (average daily temperatures of about 18°C), with significant temperature differences between day and night. The surrounding landscape is dominated by sand dunes and gravel plains with sparse vegetation.

Demographic and economic profile

Laayoune is the most populous city in Western Sahara, with about 210,000 inhabitants (2020 estimate), mainly Arabs and Berbers. The economy is dependent on fish processing, phosphate mining (there are large phosphate mines in nearby Boukla), and financial subsidies from the Moroccan government. The city has relatively good infrastructure, with a port, airport, and road network, but long-term development is limited by political controversy.

Cultural and Political Status

Laayoune is characterized by a fusion of Arab-African cultures, with mosques and traditional markets as landmarks. It has a sensitive political status, with the United Nations considering Western Sahara a "Non-Self-Governing Territory" and the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR), an independent organization, claiming it as its capital. Morocco has invested considerable resources in its construction, but the legacy of the conflict continues to affect social stability.