Hydrogeology of Western Sahara

Africa Groundwater Atlas >> Hydrogeology by country >> Hydrogeology of Western Sahara

This page shows a simplified geological and hydrogeological map of Western Sahara. Most geological and hydrogeological work in Western Sahara is carried out by Morocco. More information on the geology and hydrogeology; on the quantitative and qualitative status of groundwater; and on groundwater use, management and monitoring carried out in both Morocco and Western Sahara, is available on request, or through the published literature listed in the [[Hydrogeology of Morocco References | Hydrogeology of Morocco Reference section.

Authors

Kirsty Upton and Brighid Ó Dochartaigh, British Geological Survey, UK

Geographical Setting

File:WesternSahara Political.png

Map of Western Sahara (For more information on the datasets used in the map see the geography resources section)

General

Estimated Population in 2013*	XXX
Rural Population (% of total) (2013)*	XXX%
Total Surface Area*	XXX sq km
Agricultural Land (% of total area) (2012)*	XXX%
Capital City	XXX
Region	XXX
Border Countries	XXX
Annual Freshwater Withdrawal (2013)*	XXX Million cubic metres
Annual Freshwater Withdrawal for Agriculture (2013)*	XXX%
Annual Freshwater Withdrawal for Domestic Use (2013)*	XXX%
Annual Freshwater Withdrawal for Industry (2013)*	XXX%
Rural Population with Access to Improved Water Source (2012)*	XXX%
Urban Population with Access to Improved Water Source (2012)*	XXX%

* Source: World Bank

Climate

• Koppen Geiger Climate Zones
  Koppen Geiger Climate Zones
• Average Annual Precipitation
  Average Annual Precipitation
• Average Temperature
  Average Temperature

Rainfall time-series and graphs of monthly average rainfall and temperature for each individual climate zone can be found on the Western Sahara Climate Page.

Average monthly precipitation for Western Sahara showing minimum and maximum (light blue), 25th and 75th percentile (blue), and median (dark blue) rainfall Average monthly temperature for Western Sahara showing minimum and maximum (orange), 25th and 75th percentile (red), and median (black) temperature Quarterly precipitation over the period 1950-2012 Monthly precipitation (blue) over the period 2000-2012 compared with the long term monthly average (red)

For further detail on the climate datasets used see the climate resources section.

Surface water

File:WesternSahara Hydrology.png Surface Water Map of Western Sahara (For more information on the datasets used in the map see the surface water resources section)

Soil

File:WesternSahara soil.png Soil Map of Western Sahara (For map key and more information on the datasets used in the map see the soil resources section)

Land cover

Land Cover Map of Western Sahara (For map key and more information on the datasets used in the map see the land cover resources section)

Geology

The geology map on this page shows a simplified version of the geology at a national scale (see the Geology resources page for more details on the derivation of the map).

File:WesternSahara Geology.png

Simplified geological map of Western Sahara

Hydrogeology

The hydrogeology map below shows a simplified version of the type and productivity of the main aquifers at a national scale (see the Aquifer properties resource page for more details on the derivation of the map).

Simplified map showing the type and productivity of aquifers in Western Sahara

References

Most information on the geology and hydrogeology of Western Sahara, and on the status, use and management of groundwater, is from Moroccan sources. A list of references on the geology and hydrogeology of Morocco includes information on Western Sahara.

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Africa Groundwater Atlas >> Hydrogeology by country >> Hydrogeology of Western Sahara