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 Reference section.

Authors

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

Geographical Setting

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

General

Estimated Population in 2012*	549,000
Rural Population (% of total) (2013)*	17.6%
Total Surface Area*	266,000 sq km
Capital City	El Aaiún
Region	Northern Africa
Border Countries	Morocco, Mauritania, Algeria

Climate

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

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

Surface water

Surface Water Map of Western Sahara (For more information on the datasets used in the map see the surface water resources section)

Soil

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).

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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