Spanish Sahara

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Morocco Protectorate

ETH-BIB-Festung und Flugzeugschuppen von Villa Cisneros-Tschadseeflug 1930-31-LBS MH02-08-1005

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Acuartelamiento español en el Aaiún

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Saharan family

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Stamp Spanish Sahara 1924 40c

Spanish Sahara was a Spanish colony located in the western part of the Sahara Desert, which is now divided between the sovereign countries of Morocco and the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR), with the latter's control limited to the Free Zone. The territory was colonized by Spain in the late 19th century and remained under Spanish control until 1975, a period marked by colonial expansion, conflict, and later, decolonization efforts in Africa.

History

The Spanish presence in the Sahara began in 1884, following the Berlin Conference, which sparked the Scramble for Africa. Spain's initial interest was in establishing a fishing outpost on the coast, but it gradually expanded inland into what became known as Spanish Sahara. The territory was officially designated as a Spanish colony in 1934.

Throughout its history, Spanish Sahara was the focus of conflict and negotiation, particularly between Spain, Morocco, and Mauritania, each of which had territorial claims on the region. The indigenous Sahrawi people, led by the Polisario Front, also fought for independence and the right to self-determination, launching a guerrilla war against Spanish rule in the early 1970s.

In 1975, the International Court of Justice issued an advisory opinion stating that while there were historical ties between the Sahara and Morocco and Mauritania, these did not amount to sovereignty over the territory. Despite this, Spain, under pressure, signed the Madrid Accords with Morocco and Mauritania, dividing the territory between them and effectively ignoring the Sahrawi people's aspirations for independence. This led to the Western Sahara conflict, which continues to this day.

Geography

Spanish Sahara covered an area of approximately 266,000 square kilometers, largely consisting of arid desert landscapes. The region's geography is characterized by flat, expansive desert plains, rocky plateaus, and some of the highest sand dunes in the world. The climate is predominantly hot and dry, with minimal rainfall.

Demographics

During the Spanish colonial period, the population of Spanish Sahara was a mix of indigenous Sahrawi tribes and Spanish settlers. The Sahrawis are a nomadic people, culturally and ethnically distinct, with their own language (Hassaniya Arabic) and traditions. Spanish influence was largely limited to administrative, military, and trading posts, with the majority of the population living in traditional nomadic encampments.

Post-Colonial Legacy

The legacy of Spanish Sahara is a contentious issue, with the territory's status remaining unresolved. The United Nations has attempted to mediate the conflict through proposed referendums and peacekeeping missions, but a lasting solution has yet to be achieved. The dispute over sovereignty and the right to self-determination for the Sahrawi people continues to be a significant point of tension in North African politics.