General Information About Libya

	Libya Flag

 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…


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.