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Libya.
Warm sun, warm hearts.
A great country with a great history, a country
of breathtaking beauty. High mountain chains are just one of the
beauties of its fabulous landscape with green fields and sun-drenched Mediterranean
beaches. The desert, watered by magnificent oasis, extends far into
Africa . Fabulous villages and cities scattered amongst meadows, with oasis everywhere.
Historical monuments forests, towering mountains...
and a warm Libyan Arab welcome.
Libya 's strategic, geographical position and profound history make it a vital link
between the eastern and western parts of the Arab world, and between Europe and
Africa . The country has known its ups and downs, but the historical monuments are
a testimony of the great Libyan civilization of old. Look at the engravings of the
AKAKUS mountains, the drawings
in the MATCHANDOUSH caves.
The cities of JARMA, ZAKAKRA, and SABHA' in
the south, and the historical city of
GHIRZA
in the centre.
Libya
has played host to many civilizations,
and has enriched civilization in its turn, with writings, drawings and engravings
in the caves of TADRART mountains, and archaeological treasures from ATAFT.
The Phoenician, Roman, and Byzantine ports of
TRIPOLI , SABRATAH, LIBDAH, SHAH'HAT,
SUSAH , TUKRAH, and TALMITHA.
The old Islamic cities such as SIRT, DARNAH, and AJDABIYA, and other cities in the
heart of the desert, including GHADAMES, ZUWAYLAH, JALU, OJLA, GHAT, and
FEZZAN . Not forgetting the places and fortresses of GHARYAN,
MIZDAH,
AL
-QARYAT, YIFRAN, JADU, NALUT, MISALLATAH, and AWINAT. The first site most tourists
visit is
TRIPOLI,
Libya
's biggest city, the queen of the seas.
It is an historical site. the
city of Islamic civilization, Arab art and handicraft, where every monument tells
a story.
TRIPOLI
has changed little since its foundation in the first millennium BC: it is still
a lush garden filled with olive trees, palms, grapevines, and orange groves. The
city has a wealth of old and new monuments. Travel east or west, to nearby LIBDAH
or SABRATAH, and soak up all the history.
Shopping is a great pleasure, especially
in the popular markets where you can buy a great variety of Libyan handicrafts such
as traditional clothes, carpets, handmade gold and silver jewellery, copper and silver dishes, leather goods,
and pottery. Every kind of aquatic sport is
practised in the resorts along the coast, where you will also
find the
port of
BENGHAZI
port of
, which combines magnificent buildings with large, open spaces.
In nearby SULUQ stands the mausoleum
of OMAR MOKHTAR, hero of the Libyan Resistance during the Italian occupation. Take
the highway east to the magnificent cities of the
Green
Mountain : DARNAH with its falls and splendid coast; AL BAYDA', a quiet city high
up in the mountains; ancient SHAH'HAT (Cyrene) and beautiful
SUSAH (Apollonia), TULMAYTHAH,
TUKRAH, RA'S AL HILAL....
Libya offers you two thousand kilometers of splendid beaches, and some beautiful
small cities each with its typical architecture and special characteristics, like
AUWARAH, TUBRUQ,
MISRATAH ,
AZ
ZAWIYAH,
AL
-KHUMS, and ZLITAN. Explore
Libya
's desert in WADI ASH SHATI, the plain of AWAYNAT, BRAK, MURZUQ, and the oasis of
AL KUFRAH, ZALLAH and BAZIMAH. Then cool off in AL BAYDA' or near AL MARJ, or on
the plain of DARNAH.
As you go further and further into the desert, all you meet are waves and waves,
"the great sand sea", but then there are the refreshing oasis. The history, the
monuments and tales told by the locals make this place unique. It is a feast for
the senses.. The jewel of
the desert is GHADAMES, a mélange of natural beauty, important monuments and a distinctive
architectural style for which it is famous.
Libya
may be the land of ancient civilizations, but it also looks to the future. It is
a country of peace.
Libya
, a land touched by history.
Location
With a Mediterranean coastline of nearly 1,800 km. and an area of
1.76 million square-km. (i.e. more than three times the size of France); Libya has
always enjoyed the merit of a strategic location at the midpoint of Africa’s northern
rim. Having borders with Egypt on the east, Algeria and Tunisia on the west and
Chad, Niger and Sudan on the south this has further enhanced its strategic position
that links the Middle East with oriental civilizations and other North African Arab
countries as well as providing a passage gate to the core sub-Saharan African countries.
Libya rests within easy reach of Europe; home of the Romans and the Greeks, and
the birthplace of the modern industrial civilizations. These are facts that have
throughout history made Libya a bustling crossroads of most civilizations.
Geography
 In addition to the vast stretch
of Mediterranean coastline, Libya’s two other main geographical features are the
highlands and deserts. The Libyan highlands include the Jabel Al-Akhdar “The Green
Mountains” in the north-eastern region, the Jabel Nafousa in the north-western region
and the Tibesti Mountains on the southern borders with Chad. Productive agriculture
is concentrated in the coastal areas. Further south is a pastoral zone of grasslands
that gives way to the vast Sahara Desert which contains a magnificent natural landscape
with scarce greenery around a few scattered oases that support minimal human habitation;
including the Tuareg and their distinct culture.
Climate
Libya has recorded the highest temperature in the world in Al-Azziziya on the
13th of September, 1922 (58°C or 136°F) breaking the previous world record in Death
Valley, California in the US which reached 57°C or 134°F recorded on the 10th of
July, 1913. In spite of this fact, the climate in Libya is influenced by the enormous
stretch of desert in the south and the Mediterranean to the north. It takes advantage
of the Mediterranean wet cool breezes blowing from the north, flavored by desert
aridity and heat.
The coastal regions, including the larger cities of Libya, enjoy moderate temperatures
averaging around 30°C or 86°F in the summer. However, in the desert areas south
of Jabel Nafousa, the midday summer heat is unbearable and staying in the shade
is highly recommended, as well as the use of hats and sunglasses. This provides
an explanation for the unique architecture of the Ghadames Oasis dwellings and the
Troglodyte Houses in Gharyan. During the winter, the average temperature in the
desert areas is 8°C or 46°F, which is cold in comparison to the coastal strip. Although
it may seem to be sunny and warm in the desert, it gets rather chilly there at night.
Some 380 mm. (15 in.) of rain falls predominantly throughout the winter season.
Semi-arid conditions dominate the central plains, while the southern deserts are
subject to frequent periods of drought.
Safety
Libya is a very safe country to travel in and it enjoys a great deal of security
and stability. Libyan people are known for being friendly, courteous and hospitable
to foreigners. Traveling in the Libyan desert presents a rewarding challenge to
adventurers, yet it is always safer and more interesting to travel with expert tour
operators and proper arrangements supported by desert guides, service escorts, drivers,
cooks, etc…
People
Libya has approximately 5.5 million inhabitants the majority of which are of Arab
origins with some Berbers in the western highlands and the Tuareg in the southern
regions. The concentration of the population is mainly along the coastal strip.
Arabic is the official language of the country, Berber and Tuargi dialects are used
in some places while English, Italian and some French are relatively known in Libya.
Libya is a 100% Islamic country yet there are some other non-Libyan Christian expatriates
who live and work in the country.
Handicrafts
Traditional handicrafts in Libya have a unique visage that reflects a distinct character
that differs from one place in Libya to another and also gives contrast to similar
folk arts in neighboring countries.
Production of Libyan traditional handicrafts finds a good market amongst Libyans
as well as expatriates and tourists.
Origins of traditional handicrafts in Libya go back to practical production and
handicraft manufacturing of many different items to satisfy some basic needs of
society. With the progress of time and adoption of modern facilities, most
of these artful handicrafts remained as a live feature of the Libyan traditional
scene.
Architecture
Islamic influence is quite visible in the great legacy of classical architecture
that is well preserved in most Libyan cities and towns.
The Italian colonial period also left its mark on the facade of Libyan architecture
especially in Tripoli. Still more admirable are the unique housing styles
characterizing Ghadames with its palm-log roofed streets and the Troglodyte dwellings
in Gharyan and some other Jabel Nafousa (or Nafousa Mountain) towns, where people
used to live underground to avoid the excessive heat.
History
The advantageous strategic location of Libya has made it a bustling crossroads of
most civilizations known to man. The influence, power and sovereignty of the Greek
and Roman cultures have always been confined to the coastal areas of Libya. The
inner stretch of Saharan desert extending down to the south was dominated by the
Garamants, whose ruins and relics still evident today.
The same advantage of location made Libya subject to a series of colonial eras starting
with the Phoenicians, the first outsiders that settled in Libya during the 8th century
B.C. They founded Tripolitania (consisting of Leptis Magna, Oea and Sabrata). The
Greeks followed in the 7th century B.C., but after the Roman conquest of Carthage
(which was also found by the Phoenicians) the area of Tripolitania became a province
of Rome. Other subsequent conquerors of the region were the Vandals and the Byzantines.
In the 7th century A.D., the region was taken into the vast expansion of the Islamic
civilization. The Spanish then overtook Tripoli in the 16th century A.D. and soon
handed it to the Knights of Saint John based in Malta. The Knights of Saint John
were eventually defeated by the Muslims and the area became under the control of
the Ottoman Empire based in Istanbul.
By the start of the 20th Century, Italy took the opportunity to invade Libya in
1911. The Libyan resistance (featuring Omar Mukhtar) continued its efforts until
1931. During the second world war, the Allies defeated the Italians and after a
brief period under British and French rule overseen by the United Nations, Libya
then became independent in 1951.
On September the 1st 1969, Libyan Colonel Muammar Gadaffi led the Al-Fatah Revolution
that overthrew the Libyan monarchy regime. And on March the 2nd 1977, the Jamahiriya
(or “State of the Masses”) was announced, where the authority is in the hands of
all Libyans through the People’s Congresses.
General Information
1- Libya is a Muslim country where Arabic is the native language.
2- Libyan electricity uses a standard 220/240V power system (with continental European
plugs).
3- Libyan official time is GMT+2.
4- Friday is the official weekend when offices and firms close, yet many shopping
centers stay active throughout the week.
5- Libya has one of the most rigid regulations that ban alcohol and drugs. So avoid
bringing them with you when you travel to Libya.
6- Weights and Measures: follow the SI-Metric System of measurements.
7- Currency: One Libyan Dinar = 1,000 Dirham
8- Official Name: The Great Socialist People Libyan Arab Jamahiriya.
9- Official Celebration Day: 1st September.
10- Flag: Green
11- Official logo: Hawk.
12- Capital: Tripoli.
13- Population: 5,890,667.
14- Country Code: LY
15- Dialing code: +218.
16- Date of Joining Arab League: 28-3-1953.
17- Date of Joining UN: 14-12-1955.
18- Official Language: Arabic.
19- Coastline: 1,900km.
20- Airports: 16.
21- Main ports: 10.
22- Main cities: Tripoli and Benghazi.
23- Monumental cities: 7
24- Monumental Regions: 8.
25- Museums: 18
26- Oasis: 7.
27- Area: 1,775,500km²
28- Borders:
North: The Mediterranean.
South: Niger, Chad, and Sudan.
West: Tunisian, and Algeria.
East: Egypt.
29- Season:
Winter: Dec-Feb.
Spring: Mar-May.
Summer: Jun-Aug.
Autumn: Sep-Nov.
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