about western sahara

official name: Western Sahara
capital: Laayoune (unofficial)
head of state: President Mohammed Abdelaziz
state: unresolved sovereignty
population: 250, 500
independence: former Spanish Sahara - currently under Moroccan control
languages: Hassaniya Arabic, Moroccan Arabic
religion: Muslim
currency: Moroccan dirham (MAD)
media: NA

legal wise (as Morocco)

status of homosexuality: illegal
age of consent: 15
laws covering homosexual activity: Homosexuality is criminalized under Section 489 of the Penal Code [of 26 November 1962] which provides a penalty of between 6 months and 3 years' imprisonment and additional fines from 120 to 1000 Dirhams for "lewd or unnatural acts with an individual of the same sex".

background information and government attitudes: NA

communication

main lines in use: about 2,000 (1999 est.)
cellular telephones: 0 (1999).
Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 0, shortwave 0 (1998).
Radios: 56,000 (1997).
Television broadcast stations: n.a.
Televisions: 6,000 (1997).
Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 1 (2000).

links and contacts
NA