Al Aioun/Layounne/Layoun

Population: 93,875 (1982 est.)

Layounne is an artificial oasis town built in 1938 by the Spanish government as an administrative centre for the Spanish Sahara. The town remained under Spanish control until Moroccan troops invaded and occupied the area on December 11 1975, forcing Spanish troops to withdraw nine days later.

To reinforce its claim to the area, the Moroccan government initiated a large-scale development programme and resettled thousands of Moroccan citizens in the town.

Phosphate deposits have been discovered to the south, providing the town with some revenue.

Layounne is the site of a museum of Saharan culture and a bird sanctuary, the Colline des Oiseaux.

Tourist Office
avenue de l'Islam, BP 471
Tel: 892233/75