Laayoune, Administrative center in Western Sahara, Morocco.
Laayoune stretches along both sides of the dried Saguia el-Hamra riverbed, with modern districts to the north and colonial architecture to the south. The city combines administrative buildings, residential quarters and low houses made of ochre stone along its main roads.
Spanish forces founded Laayoune in 1938 as a military outpost, which later grew into the administrative capital of Spanish Sahara. The settlement remained under Spanish control until 1975, when Morocco took over the territory.
The National Cultural Centre at Moulay Abdelaziz Square holds literature in four languages, showing the multilingual heritage of the region. Its collections reflect the meeting of Arabic, Spanish and Sahrawi traditions.
The city offers several accommodations near Laayoune Airport, but early booking is recommended due to high occupancy by United Nations personnel. Visitors can navigate easily along the main roads that run parallel to the old riverbed.
Place Dchira gathers numerous restaurants where visitors can try regional dishes. This meeting point offers a glimpse into the coexistence of desert and urban daily life.
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