Western Sahara (formerly Spanish Sahara) Economy - 1986

GEOGRAPHICAL NAMES 

Natural resources: phosphates, iron ore

Agriculture: practically none; some barley is grown in nondrought years; fruit and vegetables in the few oases, food imports are essential; camels, sheep, and goats are kept by the nomadic natives; cash economy exists largely for the garrison forces

Major industries: phosphate, fishing, and handicrafts

Shortages: water

Electric power: 60,000 kW capacity (1985); 78 million kWh produced (1985), 857 kWh per capita

Exports: in 1982, up to $5 million in phosphates, all other exports valued valued at under $3 million

Imports up to $30 million (1982); fuel for fishing fleet, foodstuffs

Major trade partners: Morocco claims administrative control over Western Sahara and controls all trade with the country; Western Sahara trade figures are included in overall Moroccan accounts

Aid- previously received small amounts from Spain; Morocco is now the major source of support

Monetary conversion rate: uses Moroccan dirham; 8.9 dirham=US$l (1984)

NOTE: The information regarding Western Sahara (formerly Spanish Sahara) on this page is re-published from the 1986 World Fact Book of the United States Central Intelligence Agency and other sources. No claims are made regarding the accuracy of Western Sahara (formerly Spanish Sahara) 1986 information contained here. All suggestions for corrections of any errors about Western Sahara (formerly Spanish Sahara) 1986 should be addressed to the CIA or the source cited on each page.