The territory of Western Sahara is located in northwestern Africa on the coast to the Atlantic Ocean and covers an area of 266,000 km².

Desert climate prevails, rain is rare, and fog is frequent near the coast. More lush vegetation is found only around the river oases and some gueltas. Species adapted to the dry habitat can be found, for example desert jumping mice and thorn-tailed agamas.

The largest populations of the endangered Mediterranean monk seal live in the caves on the Atlantic coast, especially on the Cabo Blanco Peninsula.