Overview

This interactive 3D visualization explores the complex trade relationships between Western Sahara and New Zealand, with a particular focus on phosphate trade routes and their geopolitical implications. The visualization is part of a broader investigation into international trade dynamics and resource politics.

Key Features

• Interactive Globe: Rotate, zoom, and explore the Earth in 3D with smooth controls and beautiful rendering.
• Trade Routes: Visualize the maritime routes connecting Western Sahara to New Zealand, highlighting the physical distance and complexity of this trade relationship.
• Points of Interest: Discover key locations along the trade route, including detailed information about Western Sahara, South Africa (as a transit point), and New Zealand.
• Real-time Data: Access up-to-date information about trade relationships, legal developments, and geopolitical context.

Context

The phosphate trade between Western Sahara and New Zealand represents a significant economic relationship that raises important questions about international trade, resource rights, and political sovereignty. In 2017, a legal challenge in South Africa highlighted these complexities when a New Zealand-bound phosphate shipment was detained, bringing attention to the ongoing disputes over Western Sahara's resource sovereignty.

How to Use

Use the view selector at the top to switch between different visualization modes. The layers menu (accessible via the layers icon) allows you to toggle different elements of the visualization. You can rotate the globe by dragging, zoom with your mouse wheel, and click on points of interest to learn more about specific locations.

Read More

WSNZ

Credits

This visualization was created using Three.js and Globe.gl, with data sourced from various international trade and geopolitical resources. For more information about the Western Sahara phosphate trade, visit RNZ's coverage.