Flag of Western Sahara

How Big Is Western Sahara?

Western Sahara, located in Africa, is the 77th largest country in the world, covering approximately 266,000 square kilometers (102,703 square miles). That's roughly the same size as Colorado. It is home to approximately 652,271 people.

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Western Sahara on the Map

266,000 km²
102,703 sq mi
#77 of 236 countries
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Western Sahara's Geography

Western Sahara has approximately 1,110 km of coastline. Within Africa, Western Sahara is the 30th largest of 55 countries, sitting between Gabon and Guinea. With 2 people per km², it is less densely populated than the African average of 103 per km².

How Far Across Is Western Sahara?

Western Sahara stretches approximately 767 km (477 mi) from north to south — roughly the distance from Chicago to New York, and 855 km (531 mi) from east to west — roughly the distance from Madrid to Paris. At highway speeds, it would take roughly 10 hours to drive across.

How Many Times Does Western Sahara Fit?

Similar in Size

How Big Is Western Sahara Compared to Well-Known Places?

Place Area vs Western Sahara
South Korea 99,720 km² (38,502 sq mi) 2.7× smaller
New York 122,283 km² (47,214 sq mi) 2.2× smaller
Florida 139,670 km² (53,927 sq mi) 47% smaller
United Kingdom 243,610 km² (94,058 sq mi) about the same size
Western Sahara 266,000 km² (102,703 sq mi)
Germany 357,022 km² (137,847 sq mi) 34% larger
Montana 376,979 km² (145,552 sq mi) 42% larger
Japan 377,915 km² (145,914 sq mi) 42% larger
California 403,882 km² (155,940 sq mi) 52% larger

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Western Sahara at a Glance

Statistic Value
Total Area 266,000 km² (102,703 sq mi)
World Size Rank #77 of 236
Capital El Aaiun
Population Density 2 per km²
Population 652,271 people
Coastline 1,110 km
Life Expectancy 64.5 years
GDP per Capita $2,500 USD