Western Sahara is a disputed territory located in North Africa, bordered by Morocco to the north, Algeria to the northeast, and Mauritania to the east and south. It has a coastline along the Atlantic Ocean and is primarily inhabited by the Sahrawi people. The region is rich in natural resources, including phosphates and fishing grounds. The territory was formerly a Spanish colony until 1975, when Spain withdrew, leading to a conflict between Morocco and the Polisario Front, a liberation movement seeking independence for the Sahrawi people. The United Nations considers Western Sahara a non-self-governing territory and has called for a referendum on self-determination.