Libya – country information

Country name	Libya
Official name	Libyan Arab People’s Socialist Jamahiriya
Capital	Tripoli
Continent	Africa
Area	1,759,540 km2
Population	6,202,000 (2013)
Foundation of a state	24/12/1951
The highest mountains	Bette 2286 m
State system	a socialist-oriented state with a single political party and a single legislative and political body
The biggest cities	Tarabulus/Tripolis (capital) 1,550,000, Benghazi 750,000
Official language	Arabic
Ethnicity/National Composition	Arabs/Berbers 90%, others 10%
Religious affiliation	Sunni Muslims 97%, others 3%
Currency	1 Libyan Dinar (LYD) = 1000 Dirhams
gross domestic product (GDP)	US$11,936 (2012)
Average life expectancy of the population	76.69 years (2006)
Structure of GDP	agriculture and fishing 5%, mining 27.5%, industry 10%, construction 12.5%, services 45%

Libya – neighboring states

State	Capital	Area	Population
Algeria	Algiers	2,381,740 km2	38,700,000
CAD	N’Djamena	1,284,000 km2	12,825,000
Egypt	Cairo	980,869 km2	86,127,000
Niger	Niamey	1,267,000 km2	17,129,076
Sudan	Khartoum	2,505,810 km2	37,964,000
Tunisia	Tunis	163,610 km2	10,886,500

Country overview

According to Abbreviationfinder, Libya is a rich country with a remarkably high standard of living. Both its wealth and its military power are based on the production and export of oil. The autocratic government became famous, among other things, for supporting international terrorism.

Libya is a state in North Africa. Common borders with Algeria – in the west, with Tunisia – in the northwest, with Chad and Niger – in the south, with Sudan – in the southeast, with Egypt – in the east. The capital is Tripoli (three cities). The official language is Arabic, Berber.

The climate is dry desert. Over 95% of Libya is desert.

Resorts and attractions of Libya

Libya is dominated by flat and barren plains in the northeast, while the west is covered by an elevated plateau with deserts. The country has only 1% of arable land, but for the population 5.7 mil. people, with a vast territory, this is enough to supply the country with their products.

Experts tipped Libya the glory of the excursion center of Africa. This country has not yet been spoiled by tourism, given that tourism erases the originality of culture and makes souvenir merchants out of the local population. Being unspoiled by tourism is also the absence of indigenous people who demand money for an inadvertently done favor to you.

Tripoli – the capital of Libya, located in the north-west of the country. Tripoli is located on the coast of the Mediterranean bay. The city was founded in the 7th century BC. e. The founders of the city are the Phoenicians, who gave it the name Oea. Now Tripoli is the largest city in Libya, it is the commercial and industrial center of the country, it is the country’s main seaport.

Lepis Manga is a well-preserved Roman city located along the Wadi Lebda River, 120 km from Tripoli. Previously, the city was an intermediate postal station on the way of Phoenician merchants, in the 6th century the city was under the control of Carthage. The city has preserved many architectural monuments of the ancient era. This is the Arc de Triomphe of Septim Sevres, Basilica.

gat – an ancient trading center and one of the most attractive oases in Libya. The city is located in the southwest of Libya, near the border with Algeria.

Ghadames is an oasis located on the edge of the Libyan desert. The city is surrounded by sand dunes. Ghadames is often called the pearl of the desert. The city has a unique building – white houses, and the architecture is amazing. The city is located 630 km from Tripoli.

Benghazi is the second largest city in Libya. It is located near Berenice (the ancient Greek city), founded in 446 BC. e. brother of King Cyren. The new city was later called the Hesperides. After heavy destruction during the Second World War, Benghazi was rebuilt, helped by the oil found in Libya.

Interesting facts

The territory of Libya has been inhabited for 8000 years BC.

In 1922 (September 13) in the city of El Aziziya, a temperature of +57.8 * C was recorded – the highest temperature in the shade on Earth.

Country data

Location: North Africa

Time zone: CET

Total area: 1,759,540 km²

Land area: 1,759,540 km²

Water area: 0 km²

Length of the state border: 4,348 km

Bordering countries:
Egypt: 1,115 km
Algeria: 982 km
Niger: 354 km
Sudan: 383 km
Chad: 1,055 km
Tunisia: 459 km

Coastline: 1,770 km

Capital: Tripoli

Districts: 22
Al Butnan, Al Jabal al Akhdar, Al Jabal al Gharbi, Al Jafarah, Al Jufrah, Al Kufrah, Al Marj, Al Marqab, Al Wahat, An Nuqat al Khams, Az Zawiyah, Banghazi, Darnah, Ghat, Misratah, Murzuq, Nalut, Sabha, Surt, Tarabulus, Wadi al Hayat, Wadi ash Shati

Telephone code: 00 218 (Source: Allcitycodes)

Highest point: Bikku Bitti 2,267 m

Population

Population: approx. 6.2 million residents (Countryaah, 2021)

Population growth: 3% per year

Population density (residents per km²): 3.5

Life expectancy: 74 (male), 78 (female)

Official language: Arabic

Religions:

• 96% Muslim
• 4% other

Climate

In the Mediterranean climate, daytime temperatures are between 25-45 ° C in summer and between 12-18 ° C in winter.

The country’s desert areas are subject to particularly strong temperature fluctuations between day and night.

The rainy season lasts from November to March.

Currency / finance

Currency unit: Libyan Dinar (LYD)

Division: 1 dinar = 1000 dirhams

ATMs: are not available.

International credit cards: These are only accepted in a few hotels in Tripoli and Benghasi.

Regulations: The import and export of the local currency is not permitted. There is no limit to the amount of foreign currencies that can be imported. The export is permitted in the amount of the declared import.

When entering Libya, there is a compulsory exchange with the equivalent of 500 LYD per person in the local currency. The receipts are required upon departure!

This amount can only be exchanged for a stay of less than 10 days and is then pro rata.

The import of Israeli currency is prohibited.

Customs regulations

The following may be carried duty-free:

• 200 cigarettes or 25 cigars or 250 grams of tobacco
• small amounts of perfume

(Information applies to people aged 18 and over)

Tourists and people in transit can bring items of personal use with them duty-free.

There is an import ban on all types of food. This also includes drinks and alcohol.

Goods from Israel and obscene literature are also not allowed to be imported.

There is an export ban for all antiquarian items (e.g. pottery shards, hand axes,…).

Travel advice

We warn against all trips to Libya!

All Germans who may still be in Libya are called upon to leave the country immediately.

The German embassy in the capital Tripoli is closed. Consular help, even in an emergency, can therefore not be provided.

The security situation is very confusing. There are always fighting, attacks and kidnappings. The state security organs are also unable to offer adequate protection.

Since there have been thefts and robberies of foreigners in the past, we recommend that you note the following:

• do not stay in the car
• don’t go for a walk in the dark
• avoid large gatherings of people
• Always follow the instructions of the security forces during road checks

Behavioral advice

The consumption of alcohol, drugs and pork is strictly forbidden!

Don’t drink tap water! This is not edible! You can fill up 20 liter canisters at central drinking water points. Alternatively, many stores offer bottled water for purchase.

Photographing military people / facilities and public buildings is prohibited and is severely punished.

You should also be extremely cautious when taking pictures of people (especially women and children), road traffic and mosques / graves.

Economy

The most important industry in the country is the production of oil. Up to 95% of the revenue generated through exports is achieved through this.

However, since Libya is extremely heavily indebted, the country’s finances cannot be restructured in the foreseeable future.

Industries: natural gas extraction, oil extraction, food production, textiles

Natural resources: natural gas, petroleum

Land use:

• Usable land: 1%
• Grain cultivation: 0%
• Pasture area: 8%
• Forests: 0%
• other: 91%

Plants

Since large parts of Libya consist of desert, there is hardly any vegetation.

The few overgrown regions are determined by different types of grass and by palm and olive trees.

Animals

The country’s mammals include gazelles, hyenas, sand foxes, and gerbils.