Saguia el Hamra facts for kids
Saguia el Hamra was a northern part of the land known today as Western Sahara. It was one of two main areas that formed this territory when Spain ruled it until 1978. Back then, Western Sahara was often called Sahara Occidental.
This region stretched from about 26° to 27° 50' northern longitude. It covered a large area of about 82,000 square kilometers (31,660 square miles). The name "Saguia el Hamra" comes from a river, also called Saguia el Hamra. This river is a special type of river known as a wadi, meaning it only flows during certain times of the year. When it rains a lot, the wadi can turn into a lake near the capital city, El Aaiún. The other main territory that made up Western Sahara was called Río de Oro.
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Where is Saguia el Hamra Located?
Saguia el Hamra is in the northern part of Western Sahara. This area is in North Africa, along the Atlantic Ocean. It is mostly a desert landscape.
What is a Wadi?
A wadi is a dry riverbed that fills with water only during heavy rains. In desert areas, wadis are important because they can bring water to places that are usually very dry. The Saguia el Hamra wadi is a good example of this.
History of Saguia el Hamra
Saguia el Hamra was a part of the Spanish Sahara, which was a Spanish colony. Spain controlled this land for many years. In 1969, Spain officially combined Saguia el Hamra with Río de Oro to form the Spanish Sahara. This colonial period ended in 1975. After Spain left, the future of Western Sahara became a complex issue.
End of Spanish Rule
Spain officially left Western Sahara in 1975. This led to a dispute over who should control the territory. The region is still a subject of international discussion today.
See also
- In Spanish: Saguía el Hamra para niños
