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The Moroccan Wall of Western Sahara is an approximately 2,700 km-long structure, mostly a sand wall (or "berm"), running through Western Sahara and the southeastern portion of Morocco. It separates〔"However, with the completion of the Moroccan separation wall in the 1980s,..." ()〕 the Moroccan-controlled areas (Southern Provinces) and the Polisario-controlled areas (Free Zone, nominally Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic) that lies along its eastern and southern border. According to maps from the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO)〔(Deployment of MINURSO )〕 or the UNHCR,〔(Western Sahara Atlas Map - June 2006 )〕 part of the wall extends several kilometers into internationally recognized Mauritanian territory. ==Physical structure== The fortifications lie in uninhabited or very sparsely inhabited territory. They consist of sand and stone walls or berms about three meters in height, with bunkers, fences and landmines throughout. The barrier minebelt that runs along the structure is thought to be the longest continuous minefield in the world. Military bases, artillery posts and airfields dot the Moroccan-controlled side of the wall at regular intervals, and radar masts and other electronic surveillance equipment scan the areas in front of it. The following is one observer's description of the Berm: In all, six lines of berms have been constructed.〔''(Milestones of the conflict )'', page 2. Website of the United Nations MINURSO mission.〕 The main ("external") line of fortifications extends for about 2,500 km. It runs east from Guerguerat on the coast in the extreme south of Western Sahara near the Mauritanian town of Nouadhibou, closely parallelling the Mauritanian border for about 200 km, before turning northwards beyond Techla. It then runs generally northeastward, leaving Guelta Zemmur, Smara, crossing again Mauritanian territory and reaching Hamza in Moroccan-held territory, before turning east and again closely following the Algerian border as it approaches Morocco. A section extends about 200 km into southeastern Morocco〔(United Nations Map No. 3691 ) Rev. 53 United Nations, October 2006 (Colour), Department of Peacekeeping Operations, Cartographic Section. Depicts the deployment of the MINURSO mission, as well as the Wall location.〕〔See also e.g. (this satellite montage at Google Maps ) for a section of the wall in Moroccan territory. The northernmost fort that is clearly distinguishable can be seen (here ). (Google Maps, as of 30 November 2006)〕 Significant lines of fortifications also lie deep within the Moroccan-controlled area.〔For example, a sand berm with fortifications much like on the main external line can be seen (here ), reaching the coast near Imlili, over 200 km north of the main external berm along the southern border. (Google Maps, as of 30 November 2006)〕 Their exact number and location are a source of some confusion for overseas commentators.〔(author and date unknown)〕〔''(in Dutch)'' ''(Marokkaanse veiligheidsmuur al twee decennia onomstreden )'', CIDI Israel website, Nieuwsbrief (2004)〕 All major settlements, the capital El Aaiún, and the phosphate mine at Bou Craa lie far into the Moroccan-held side. The fortifications were progressively built by Moroccan forces starting in 1981, and formally ending on 16 April 1987.〔 Its main function was to exclude the guerrilla fighters of the Polisario Front, who have sought Western Saharan independence since before Spain ended its colonial occupation in 1975, from the Moroccan-controlled part of the territory. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Moroccan Wall」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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