Western Sahara

Western Sahara is a Non-Self-Governing Territory on the United Nations list since 1963, and its final political status remains unresolved. The territory is divided by a berm between Moroccan and Frente POLISARIO forces. Geographically, it is a predominantly desert Atlantic territory of rocky plateaus, sand fields, dry valleys and a long arid coastline. Rainfall is extremely scarce and settlement is concentrated in a small number of urban and coastal centres. Sahrawi building traditions include highly mobile tent structures as well as earth, stone and locally available materials in more permanent settlements, with shade, enclosure and protection from wind and heat as primary environmental responses.