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| Country |
Libya |
| Capital |
Tripoli |
| Location |
Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Egypt and Tunisia. 25 00 N, 17 00 E |
| Area |
1,759,540 sq km |
| Population |
5,631,000 |
| Currency |
Libyan Dinars (LYD) |
| Time Zone |
GMT + 2 hrs |
| Language |
Arabic, English, Italian |
| Calling Code |
+218 |
| Religion |
Muslim, Christian and others |
| Climate |
Greatly influenced by the desert &the Mediterranean sea, in winter can be fairly cold, during summer temperature are between(28c-38c). |
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Introduction to Libya
Officially known as Libyan Arab Jamahirya, Libya is the forth largest country in Africa and is home to some of the most magnificent Greek and Roman ruins, sites of prehistoric rock art and stunning desert scenery anywhere on earth.
From the beautiful Mediterranean coast, where the ancient civilisations of Leptis Magna and Sabratha amaze the visitor, to the stunning sand seas, desert lakes, canyons and spectacular mountains of the Fezzan, Libya is a fascinating country.
Home to so many incredible ancient sites; such extraordinary and differing unspoilt desert landscapes and such a truly hospitable and welcoming people, for the intrepid traveller Libya makes a perfect short-haul destination.
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Tripoli
Libya’s capital has retained much of its historical heritage; Tripoli’s old walled city is a picturesque African jumble of narrow alleyways leading to traditional mosques, houses and khans (public houses). The architecture is a fusion of the country’s many rulers and includes Turkish, Spanish, Maltese and Italian influences. Worth seeing is the ancient Marcus Aurelian Arch, the Al Nagha and Ahmed Pash mosques, and some of the many vibrant souqs (markets) in the heart of Medina (Tripoli’s center).
Situated on a promontory above the city is Assai al-Hamra (Red Castle); a spectacular fortress stretching over an area of approximately 13,000 sq meters, that houses a maze of courtyards and buildings. Next to the castle on the Green Square is the Jamahiriya Museum that was designed in conjunction with UNESCO. Classical artifacts such as ancient mosaics and statues are among the extensive collection displayed here. Visitors to the city can also enjoy a number of beautiful Mediterranean beaches.
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Leptis Magna
This historical town lies 120km (75 miles) east of Tripoli overlooking the Mediterranean. This incredible archaeological site was originally a port, built by the Phoenicians in the first millennium BC. Since then it became a Roman settlement and today many of the ruins from that time remain preserved. Among the things to see are the Severan Arch (erected in honor of Emperor Septimus Severus), the marble- and granite-lined Hadrianic Baths, a detailed basilica and an amphitheater.
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Benghazi
Benghazi is Libya’s second-largest city, located on the Eastern edge of the Gulf of Sirt. Far more commercial and less aesthetically pleasing then Tripoli, Benghazi is nevertheless a popular tourist spot due to its close proximity to a number of beautiful beaches. Ras Alteen is a nearby beach with pristine white sands. It has recently been the location of an amazing archaeological discovery where Greek and Byzantine graves from a colossal underwater city were recovered. Other historical sites include the battlefield of Tobruk, 140km east of Ras Alteen, and the town of Cyrene, 245km east of Benghazi. The lush forested range of the Green Mountains is easily reached from Benghazi and Ras Alteen and is a great area for walking. A suspended cave named after the apostle Mark, who was thought to have been raised in the Green Mountains, can be found in the Marcus Valley.
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Ghadames
Ghadames, known as the ‘Pearl of the Desert’, is a unique desert oasis town 800km (500 miles) southwest of Tripoli. The old town’s unique architecture consists of white-washed mud walls and covered labyrinthine walkways that are only lit by overhead skylights and open squares. Worth seeing are the D’jmaa al-Kabir mosque, where the minaret can be climbed for a wonderful panorama of the city; Mulberry Square, site of the old slave market; and the House Museum, that displays traditional mercantile furnishings.
Nearby are the Zallaf Sand Dunes, home to the native Tuareng tribe. Saline lakes with high mineral content and palm trees surround the dunes. In this unusual environment visitors can enjoy relaxing sand baths and salt-lake bathing.
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Sousa (Apollonia)
The city of Sousa was known as Apollonia during the Greko-Roman times. It is located on the Mediterranean coast, 20km north of Shah'hat (Cyrene), and is connected to the latter by a road excavated in the rocky ground of the area, and improved during Roman times.
Apollonia served as a port for the city of Cyrene, when the once well known silphium plant was exported. By the end of the 6th century AD, its importance exceeded that of Cyrene and Ptolemais.
Visitors to the site will certainly enjoy the fine weather and the beautiful Mediterranean beach, as well as The Greek theatre, the Roman baths and the Byzantine Palace.
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Shah'hat (Cyrene)
When the Romans took over the Cyrenaican plateau n the first century BC, they called the area the pentapolis, 'the five citie', as it included five major urban centers: Apollonia, Barca, Ptolemais, Bernice, Tauchira. In ancient times Cyrene was considered one of the largest cities in the Mediterranean area, second only to Athens. It is the largest archaeological settlement of the Pentapolis cities of the Green Mountain area, in eastern Libya.
The city of Shah'hat lies on the ruins of Cyrene, 10km east of Al-Bayda. Cyrene was founded in 631 BC by some Greek adventurers coming from the island of Thera, known today as Santhorini. It was occupied in later times by the Byzantines. The Arab muslims came to the region in 642-643 AD and the new faith, Islam, has dominated the area ever since.
The cultural influences and historical events that have shaped Cyrene's history can still be traced by the ruins of the temples of Zeus and Apollo, the theatre, the vast area of the Agora, the Acropolis, the wall built to its north during the 4th Century BC, and then rebuilt by the Romans in the 1st and 2nd Centuries AD, and in some churches built by the Byzantine control of the city.
The city of Cyrene reached its peak in the 4th Century BC. During the emperor Augustus' rule, it was both centre and guiding force of the whole region. In the 2nd Century AD a series of violent rebellions started the city on its way to a slow and inexorable decline. A severe earthquake hit Cyrene in the 3rd Century reducing it to ruins.
A museum containing many of the collections and masterpieces unearthed in the area is situated at the archaelological site.
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Tobruk
Tobruk or Tubruq is a town, seaport, municipality, and peninsula in northeastern Libya. Tobruk was the site of a colony of ancient Greeks, and, later, Tobruk held a Roman fortress for guarding the frontier of Cyrenaica. Over the centuries, Tobruk also served as a way station along the coastal caravan route. By 1911, Tobruk became an Italian military post, but during World War II, in 1941, British forces took Tobruk and prolonged fighting with Nazi Germany followed. Rebuilt after WWII, Tobruk was later expanded during the 1960s to have a port terminal linked by an oil pipeline to the Sarir oil field.
At the beginning of World War II, Libya was an Italian colony and Tobruk became the site of important battles between the Allies and Axis powers. Tobruk was strategically important to the conquest of Eastern Libya, then the province of Cyrenaica, for several reasons. Many regularly visit the war graves sites, from all over the world.
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