GIS Dataset for Sandy Beach Classification in Morocco (Mediterranean and Atlantic), Tunisia and Egypt

This new version contains a correction of file names, which however does not affect file content. This dataset is under embargo until the associated publication is released. This dataset contains line shapefiles for sandy beaches for locations in Morocco, Tunisia, and Egypt. Sandy beaches were mapped in ArcGIS Pro using satellite imagery and Google Earth and categorized as touristic, urban, semi-urban, semi-rural or remote based on the definitions by (Williams, 2011; Semeoshenkova et al., 2017; Haseler et al., 2025). Rocky shores, cliffs, and hard structures were excluded. • Touristic beaches: heavily used by national and international tourists, unlike urban beaches which are mainly frequented by locals.• Urban beaches: located in densely populated areas with public services and accommodations, accessible by both public and private transport.• Semi-urban beaches: located near urban centers or coastal towns, with moderate tourist presence and dual transport access.• Semi-rural beaches: adjacent to villages, with limited services and accommodations, and primarily accessed via private transport.• Remote beaches: isolated from urban/village areas, lacking transport infrastructure, and accessible only on foot. It is intended for scientific research and spatial analysis related to coastal characteristics and environmental monitoring. Not for commercial purposes. Each country’s dataset is projected using the most appropriate UTM zone for its geographical location to ensure accurate spatial analysis in meters (e.g., length calculations). For more information, read the README file.