Difference between revisions of "Western Sahara"
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|map= <map lat='23.755181766112635' lng='-15.029296875' zoom='7' view='0' float='right' /> | |map= <map lat='23.755181766112635' lng='-15.029296875' zoom='7' view='0' float='right' /> | ||
|language = N/A (recognized regional languages are Arabic and Spanish) | |language = N/A (recognized regional languages are Arabic and Spanish) | ||
| − | |capital = N/A (largest city is [[Laâyoune | + | |capital = N/A (largest city is [[Laâyoune]]) |
|pop = 382,617 | |pop = 382,617 | ||
|currency = Moroccan dirham (MAD) | |currency = Moroccan dirham (MAD) | ||
|hitch = from {{average}} to {{very good}} }} | |hitch = from {{average}} to {{very good}} }} | ||
| − | + | '''Western Sahara''' is a mostly Moroccan-controlled territory in [[Northern Africa]]. Western Sahara has been on the United Nations list of non-self-governing territories since the 1960s when it was a Spanish colony. | |
| − | + | When travelling here, you are de-facto travelling on the territory of the kingdom of [[Morocco]], so all visa-issues, police control checkpoints etc. are mostly applying to [[Morocco]]. Speaking a little bit of French, Spanish or Arabic will bring you through without problems, though more and more people speak good English due to the presence of the UN. Parts of the east (behind the berm) are controlled by the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polisario_Front Polisario Front], and the southernmost city Lagouira seems to be under Mauritanian control (August 2010), though this information has to be confirmed yet. | |
| − | + | ===Hitchhiking=== | |
| + | Hitchhiking in '''Western Sahara''' is very easy along the coastal road N1, where traffic is plentiful but sometimes sparely as well. All over the territory, from big cities to the most sparsely location, people pop up to hitchhike as well, so the concept is well known and understood. It will be easy for you to catch rides all the way to [[Mauritania]]. Locals hitch rides with pointing the forefinger into the driving direction instead of using the thumb. | ||
| − | + | Hitchhiking the N14 to [[As-Smara]] shouldn't be a problem as well, but the other two main roads N3 and N5 can bring problems with them, due to the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Border_Wall_(Western_Sahara) berm] and partly Polisario-controlled areas. Travelling these roads should be taken with a lot of care and it's always best to collect information about the current situation. It can happen that Moroccan police will send you back and not let through. | |
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| + | Second, the whole territory is still covered partly with undiscovered landmines, so be extremely careful when leaving the main roads and walking into the desert. | ||
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{{IsIn|Northern Africa}} | {{IsIn|Northern Africa}} | ||
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[[Category:Northern Africa]] | [[Category:Northern Africa]] | ||
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[[de:Westsahara]] | [[de:Westsahara]] | ||
[[zh:西撒哈拉]] | [[zh:西撒哈拉]] | ||
Revision as of 10:11, 12 September 2010
 Western Sahara | |
|---|---|
| Information | |
| Language: | N/A (recognized regional languages are Arabic and Spanish) |
| Capital: | N/A (largest city is Laâyoune) |
| Population: | 382,617 |
| Currency: | Moroccan dirham (MAD) |
| Hitchability: | from  (average) to  (very good)
|
| Meet fellow hitchhikers on Trustroots | |
| <map lat='23.755181766112635' lng='-15.029296875' zoom='7' view='0' float='right' /> | |
Western Sahara is a mostly Moroccan-controlled territory in Northern Africa. Western Sahara has been on the United Nations list of non-self-governing territories since the 1960s when it was a Spanish colony.
When travelling here, you are de-facto travelling on the territory of the kingdom of Morocco, so all visa-issues, police control checkpoints etc. are mostly applying to Morocco. Speaking a little bit of French, Spanish or Arabic will bring you through without problems, though more and more people speak good English due to the presence of the UN. Parts of the east (behind the berm) are controlled by the Polisario Front, and the southernmost city Lagouira seems to be under Mauritanian control (August 2010), though this information has to be confirmed yet.
Hitchhiking
Hitchhiking in Western Sahara is very easy along the coastal road N1, where traffic is plentiful but sometimes sparely as well. All over the territory, from big cities to the most sparsely location, people pop up to hitchhike as well, so the concept is well known and understood. It will be easy for you to catch rides all the way to Mauritania. Locals hitch rides with pointing the forefinger into the driving direction instead of using the thumb.
Hitchhiking the N14 to As-Smara shouldn't be a problem as well, but the other two main roads N3 and N5 can bring problems with them, due to the berm and partly Polisario-controlled areas. Travelling these roads should be taken with a lot of care and it's always best to collect information about the current situation. It can happen that Moroccan police will send you back and not let through.
Second, the whole territory is still covered partly with undiscovered landmines, so be extremely careful when leaving the main roads and walking into the desert.
