Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
In the Western Sahara, Arabic and French are spoken almost universally. As a previous
Spanish Protectorate, the more common second language was, until recently, Spanish, a
habit that lingers in the older generation. English is also spoken, due to the UN presence.
Getting There & Away
There is no officially designated border between Morocco and the Western Sahara, and
Morocco treats the region as an integrated part of the country.
Flights link both Laâyoune and Dakhla with Agadir, Casablanca and Gran Canaria. In
addition to the airlines, Laâyoune-based travel agent El Sahariano (
0528 98 12 12;
www.elsahariano.com ; Blvd de Mekka) sells tickets for these flights.
Supratours and CTM both operate buses to Laâyoune and Dakhla. Given the brutal
journey times in the Western Sahara, it is best to stick with these reliable companies.
One of the benefits of the area's tax-free status is that petrol costs a couple of dirham
less per litre than in the rest of Morocco. The first of the Atlas Sahara petrol stations is
just south of Tarfaya. For car hire, Dakhla-based Laargoub Car ( 0528 93 04 47;
www.laargoubcar.com ; Ave Ahmed Bahnini) also covers Laâyoune, Agadir, Essaouira and Mar-
rakesh, with one-way rental available.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Laâyoune (Al-'Uyun)
POP 200,000
The Spanish created Laâyoune as an outpost from which to administer the nearby Bou
Craa phosphate mines. The Moroccans had bigger ambitions and spent more than US$1
billion turning it into the principal city of the Western Sahara. Now neither Saharawi nor
Spanish, its population is mostly Moroccans, lured from the north by the promise of
healthy wages and tax-free goods.
A government centre and military garrison with UN Land Cruisers drifting along its
drab avenues, Laâyoune is not worth a visit. Indeed, given the tensions in the Western Sa-
hara's largest and most volatile city, we recommend you avoid stopping here, as there's
nothing to justify the risk of police hassle or getting caught in a riot. Whether you're head-
ing north or south, distances are so great that you may have to stop here, but try to plan
your trip so you pause in Tarfaya or Dakhla instead.
 
Search WWH ::




Custom Search