SMW is the airport code for Smara, also written Es-Semara, a town in the interior of Western Sahara, a territory in northwest Africa whose status is disputed and which is administered by Morocco. Smara lies in the Saguia el-Hamra region of the Sahara and was founded in the 19th century as an oasis on the caravan routes. In the early 20th century it became a religious capital under the shaykh Ma al-Aynayn, who built a fortress and mosque, the Zawiya, and an important Islamic library, remains of which can still be seen. The town is a desert settlement rather than a conventional tourist destination, set in a vast, arid landscape. Because Western Sahara is a sensitive and disputed area, travelers should check their government's current advice before any trip. Smara is reached by road across the desert and by its airport. The climate is hot and very dry.
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Fixed-price private transfers with English-speaking drivers. Meet-and-greet included.
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