Flags of Countries that Start with W
How many countries beginning with W? There are a total of 2 countries starting with letter W among the 193 countries in the world:
- Wallis and Futuna
- Western Sahara
Western Sahara
Western Sahara is a disputed territory in North Africa, located along the Atlantic Ocean and bordered by Morocco to the north, Algeria to the northeast, and Mauritania to the east and south. The region, which spans an area of around 266,000 square kilometers, has been the subject of ongoing conflict and territorial dispute since Spain withdrew in 1975, following the end of colonial rule. The Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR), led by the Polisario Front, declared independence, but the region remains largely under Moroccan control, with the Moroccan government asserting sovereignty over it. This dispute has led to an international standoff, with the United Nations categorizing Western Sahara as a “non-self-governing territory” and calling for a referendum to determine its future status, although such a vote has never been held. The region is rich in phosphates, which have drawn Morocco’s interest, but it remains largely sparsely populated, with most of its inhabitants living in refugee camps in neighboring Algeria. Despite the political challenges, the people of Western Sahara maintain a distinct cultural and historical identity tied to nomadic traditions and the Sahrawi language. Western Sahara’s strategic location along the Atlantic Ocean has made it an area of geopolitical importance, contributing to the prolonged dispute over its sovereignty.
Country Facts:
- Location: North Africa, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean, Morocco, Algeria, and Mauritania
- Bordering Countries: Morocco (north), Algeria (northeast), Mauritania (east and south)
- Formal Country Name: Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR)
- Capital: Laayoune (claimed by Morocco), Tindouf (in refugee camps, Algeria)
- Population: Approximately 500,000 (subject to political dispute)
- Language: Arabic, Spanish, and Berber
- Currency: Sahrawi dinar (SADR uses the Algerian dinar in refugee camps)