Western Sahara: Geography and Politics

Hey Jackson, Anika, and Emma! Can you guess why Western Sahara has such a tiny population?

• Lack of water resources

• Restricted human activity to the coasts

• Frequent natural disasters

• High crime rates

During a lively classroom debate, Ethan asked, "Which country claimed Western Sahara as part of its pre-colonial territory after gaining independence in 1956?"

• Mauritania

• Spain

• Algeria

• Morocco

Hey Abigail, Ethan, and Aria! Do you know why the Polisario Front was established in 1973?

• To end colonial rule and create a nation for the native Sahrawi people

• To support Moroccan claims over Western Sahara

• To support Spanish colonial rule

• To promote European colonization

Avery, Luna, and Charlotte are debating the International Court of Justice's findings on Western Sahara. What was the outcome?

• It stated that sovereignty required native support

• It supported Moroccan sovereignty

• It supported Mauritanian sovereignty

• It declared Western Sahara a Spanish territory

Hey Rohan, Evelyn, and Zoe! Do you know what the Green March was?

• A protest by the Sahrawi people

• A military invasion by Morocco

• A peaceful demonstration by 300,000 unarmed Moroccans

• A U.N. mission to Western Sahara

During a lively classroom debate, Lily asked, "What did the Madrid Agreement entail?"

• Spain retaining control over Western Sahara

• Western Sahara being split between Morocco and Mauritania

• The creation of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic

• A cease-fire agreement between Morocco and the Polisario Front

Hey history buffs! Can you help Evelyn and Jackson figure out when the Polisario Front declared the independence of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic?

• May 10th, 1973

• February 27th, 1976

• November 6th, 1975

• December 14th, 1974

Hey Kai, Jackson, and Luna! Which of the following statements is true about the current status of Western Sahara?

• It is a peaceful and undisputed region

• Morocco controls 80% of it, and it is recognized by 45 U.N. member states

• It is fully recognized as an independent nation

• It is fully recognized as part of Morocco