Publisher Description

Western Sahara is the last remaining colony in Africa. When it was released from Spanish rule in 1975, it was only to be replaced by the colonial rule of the neighboring countries of Mauritania and the Kingdom of Morocco. Even then, plans for a referendum were made to determine the country's status, but this solution has continually been put off from year to year while the situation festers. The resulting struggle has become increasingly bitter over the years. It has divided the territories population-many of whom now live abroad as refugees-resulted in a prolonged guerrilla war, pitted neighboring states against one another, and exercised the efforts of the United Nations, the Organization of African Unity (now African Union), and other peacekeeping bodies. There is no shortage of failed compromises and unimplemented resolutions. All that is lacking is an equitable solution. This book provides substantial information on Western Sahara's history, society, and culture through the use of hundreds of cross-referenced A to Z dictionary entries, a chronology of events, an introductory essay on Western Sahara, and a bibliography.

Author Biography

Anthony G. Pazzanita co-authored (with Tony Hodges) the second edition of the Historical Dictionary of Western Sahara, and also wrote the second edition of the Historical Dictionary of Mauritania.

Table of Contents

Part 1 Editor's Foreword Part 2 Preface Part 3 Reader's Notes Part 4 Acronyms and Abbreviations Part 5 Map of Western Sahara Part 6 Chronology Part 7 Introduction Part 8 THE DICTIONARY Part 9 Bibliography Part 10 About the Author

Review

With the wealth of information covered this volume serves as more than a basic introduction to the subject. It will provide a useful reference source for both general and faculty-based academic libraries as well as large reference libraries. * s, Vol. 21, No. 4 (2007) *
Having ceased to be part of Spain's African empire without becoming a state of its own, Western Sahara has been fought over by Morocco, Mauritania and the indigenous people of northwestern Africa. The first edition of this dictionary, published in 1982, brought together for the first time information on the regional conflict and attempts at resolution, as well as background on Western Sahara's history, politics, economy, society and culture. This third edition has been entirely rewritten and updated. It includes a chronology, map, extensive bibliography, and a new introduction by Pazzanita, who has published many works on Western Sahara and Mauritania. * Reference and Research Book News *

Long Description

Western Sahara is the last remaining colony in Africa. When it was released from Spanish rule in 1975, it was only to be replaced by the colonial rule of the neighboring countries of Mauritania and the Kingdom of Morocco. Even then, plans for a referendum were made to determine the country's status, but this solution has continually been put off from year to year while the situation festers. The resulting struggle has become increasingly bitter over the years. It has divided the territories population-many of whom now live abroad as refugees-resulted in a prolonged guerrilla war, pitted neighboring states against one another, and exercised the efforts of the United Nations, the Organization of African Unity (now African Union), and other peacekeeping bodies. There is no shortage of failed compromises and unimplemented resolutions. All that is lacking is an equitable solution. This book provides substantial information on Western Sahara's history, society, and culture through the use of hundreds of cross-referenced A to Z dictionary entries, a chronology of events, an introductory essay on Western Sahara, and a bibliography.

Review Quote

With the wealth of information covered this volume serves as more than a basic introduction to the subject. It will provide a useful reference source for both general and faculty-based academic libraries as well as large reference libraries.

Details