Irrigated land: NA sq km

Natural hazards: hot, dry, dust/sand-laden sirocco wind can occur during winter and spring; widespread harmattan haze exists 60% of time, often severely restricting visibility

Environment - current issues: sparse water and arable land

Environment - international agreements: party to: none of the selected agreements signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

@Western Sahara:People

Population: 228,138 (July 1997 est.)

Age structure: 0-14 years: NA 15-64 years : NA 65 years and over: NA

Population growth rate: 2.43% (1997 est.)

Birth rate: 46.14 births/1,000 population (1997 est.)

Death rate: 17.53 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.)