western sahara

English - Turkish

Definition of western sahara in English Turkish dictionary

batı sahra

English - English

Definition of western sahara in English English dictionary

A territory in northern Africa and a former Spanish colony, now mostly occupied by Morocco, which claims ownership over the territory

A region of northwest Africa on the Atlantic coast. Sparsely settled primarily by Berbers, the region was first visited by Portuguese navigators in 1434. Spain claimed it as a protectorate in 1884, establishing the province of Spanish Sahara in 1958, but transferred the territory to Morocco and Mauritania in 1976. Mauritania renounced all claims in 1979, with Morocco occupying its portion, but guerrilla resistance from the nationalist Polisario Front forced the Moroccans in 1991 to agree to a UN-monitored referendum on the region's status. a country on the coast of west Africa, south of Morocco and east of Mauritania. Population: 250,559 (2001). Capital: El Aaiún. formerly Spanish Sahara Territory, North Africa. Area: 97,344 sq mi (252,120 sq km). Population (2002 est.): 256,000. Capital: Laayoune. Little is known of the area's prehistory, though rock engravings in southern locations suggest a succession of nomadic groups. In the 4th century BC there was trade across the Mediterranean Sea between the region and Europe; this did not last, and there was little European contact until the 19th century. In 1884 Spain claimed a protectorate over the Río de Oro region. Boundary agreements with France were concluded in 1900 and 1912. Spain formally united the area's northern and southern parts into the overseas province of the Spanish Sahara in 1958. In 1976 Spain relinquished its claim. The region then was divided between Mauritania, which relinquished its claim in 1979, and Morocco, which later occupied the whole territory. Separatists of the Polisario movement, based in Algeria, declared a government-in-exile called the Saharan Arab Democratic Republic in 1976; the issue of Western Sahara's status remained unresolved. remained unresolved.Western Sahara has vast phosphate deposits and some potash and iron ore

strip of desert land under the control of Morocco

an area in northwestern Africa with rich phosphate deposits; under Moroccan control since 1992

Hyphenation

west·ern Sa·har·a

Turkish pronunciation

hwestırn sıherı

Synonyms

spanish sahara

Pronunciation

/ˈhwestərn səˈherə/ /ˈhwɛstɜrn səˈhɛrə/

Etymology

[ 'wes-t&rn ] (adjective.) before 12th century. Middle English westerne, from Old English; akin to Old High German westrOni western, Old English west.