Africa · North-West Africa · disputed territory
Western Sahara
Capital · Laâyoune
Atlantic-facing dunes where the Sahara meets the sea.
The essentials
Western Sahara at a glance
- Capital
- Laâyoune
- Region
- North-West Africa · disputed territory
- Currency
- Moroccan dirham (MAD)
- Languages
- Hassaniya Arabic · Spanish
- Dialling code
- +212
- Status
- Territory · listed for completeness
Plan around it
National days & key dates in Western Sahara
The dates the diaspora marks abroad — independence, liberation and the festivals that fill a rented hall in Bangkok or Guangzhou every year.
Feb 27Proclamation of the SADR1976
May 20Start of the liberation struggle1973
Across the ocean
Where Western Sahara people gather in Asia
These are the Asian hubs with the largest and longest-established African communities. Every one has a free country group and a live channel in the Hub.
🇹🇭ThailandBangkok — Sukhumvit Soi 3, the original Little Africa
🇨🇳ChinaGuangzhou & Yiwu — the trade corridor
🇯🇵JapanTokyo & Yokohama — students, athletes and engineers
🇮🇳IndiaDelhi, Bangalore & Pune — university towns
🇲🇾MalaysiaKuala Lumpur — study and business visas
🇦🇪United Arab EmiratesDubai — the aviation and re-export hub
Before you fly
Travelling on a Western Sahara passport
Asian entry rules are not uniform across Africa. Some destinations are visa-free or visa-on-arrival for this passport; others need an e-visa or a full embassy application with proof of funds and a return ticket.
Open the Passport Index →Never land alone
Find your people first
Post in the Western Sahara channel before you book. Someone from home is already in the city you are moving to — and they will tell you what the agent will not.
Open the Western Sahara channel →Keep exploring