POPULATION: About 5.4 million people. Over 90% are Libyans - a nation formed as a result of a mixture of Arabs and Berbers, as well as Berbers, Tuareg, Tubu, etc.
LANGUAGE: Arabic.
RELIGION: Muslim - 99%.
GEOGRAPHY: Libya is located in the central part of North Africa. In the north it is washed by the Mediterranean Sea. In the northwest it borders on Tunisia, in the west - on Algeria, in the south - on Niger, Chad and Sudan, in the east - on Egypt. Most of the surface is a plateau, height 200 - 600 m, in the east - the Libyan desert, in the south - the spurs of the Tibesti highlands (height up to 2286 m). The total area is 1759.5 thousand square meters. km.
CLIMATE: Most of the territory is tropical desert, in the north - subtropical Mediterranean. On the coast, the average temperature in January is about +12 C, in July from +26 C to +29 C. Throughout the rest of the territory, the average July temperatures rise to +36 C, but at night the air cools to zero or even lower. Precipitation falls up to 250–350 mm. per year, on the El-Akhdar plateau - up to 600 mm. In some areas, it does not rain for several years in a row. During the spring solstice along the coast in the northwestern regions, a burning wind "gibli" blows, coming from the Sahara.
POLITICAL STATUS: Formally, Libya is a republic, but in reality it is a paramilitary dictatorship. The governing body of Libya is the "Revolutionary Leadership" (officially located outside the system of state power). The legislature is the General People's Congress.
CURRENCY: Libyan dinar (LD), equal to 1000 dirhams. In the course of banknotes in denominations of 10, 5 and 1 dinar, 1/2 and 1/4 dinar. Coins in denominations of 100 and 50 dirhams. Dieners Club and Visa credit cards are limited to major hotels and airports. Traveler's checks are generally not accepted due to existing sanctions imposed by the US Government. The circulation of foreign currency is formally prohibited. Currency can be exchanged at banks and officially authorized exchange offices. Banking hours: 08.00-12.00 Saturday-Thursday (winter), 08.00-12.00 Saturday-Thursday and 16.00-17.00 Saturday-Wednesday (summer). Since alcohol was banned by the Government in 1969, many restaurants have closed and existing ones are very expensive.
TIME: Behind Moscow in summer by 2 hours, in winter - by 1 hour.
MAIN ATTRACTIONS: Tripoli is a beautiful city, another name often used is "Arusa Al-Bahar Al-Mutawassat" or "The Bride of the Mediterranean". The old part of the city retains the appearance characteristic of many cities of the Arab East: low (one or two floors) houses with flat roofs, minarets of mosques directed to the sky, colorful and noisy oriental bazaars. In Tripoli itself and other places, ancient buildings erected by the Phoenicians, Carthaginians and Romans have been preserved. Pay attention to Ahmad Pasha Karamanli Mosque, one of the most attractive built in the city. Located at the entrance to the central market, at a short distance from the Palace, it was erected in 1711 by the founder of the Karamanli dynasty and the governor of Tripoli, Ahmad Pasha. In the center, its roof over the sanctuary decorated with magnificent moldings is crowned with 25 domes. A separate room is intended for the tombs of Ahmad Pasha himself and members of his family, and above it rises an octagonal minaret in a typical Turkish style. In-Naka Mosque (Camel Mosque) is the oldest mosque in Tripoli. The Gurgi Mosque, built by Yusuf Gurgi in 1833, attracts the interest of many tourists with its elegant architecture. Its nine columns support a roof with sixteen small domes. The minaret of the mosque, the tallest of all minarets in Tripoli, is octagonal in shape and has two balconies. The Al-Jami Mosque, built by the Ottoman ruler of the country in 1640, is one of the recognized masterpieces of oriental architecture; its walls contain many interesting inscriptions. It is also called the "Great Mosque" of Tripoli. Other historical towns are represented by Leptis Magna, which is 120 km away. east of Tripoli, Sirte, located 245 km. east of Benghazi, Sabrathoy - 60 km. west of Tripoli, and Gdamesom ("Pearl of the Desert"), located in a desert region 800 km. south of Tripoli. Leptis Magna is an excellently preserved Roman city located east of the city of Al-Khum (Al-Homs) at the mouth of the Wadi Lebda river. It is possible that in ancient times it was an intermediate port on the Phoenician trade route in this part of the continent, and by the 6th century BC. e. already ruled by Carthage. Among the most attractive in this city are the Triumphal Arch of Septimus Sevres, the Forum, the Basilica with its ornamental inscriptions and numerous sculptures, the semicircular Nymphaeum and the Baths of Hadrian. An elegant columned street connects Thermes with the bay. Also of interest to tourists is the impressive 70-meter diameter amphitheater, which offers views of the city in all directions. Its stage and entrance openings have been preserved unchanged. The Roman Circle, on the east side of the city, is built in the shape of a horseshoe and exactly follows the line of the coast. Tolomeya (Ptolemy) - the exquisitely decorated Hellenic Palace is the main attraction of this ancient city. The building dates back to the 1st century BC. e. with later, I century AD. e., outbuildings. This two-storey house, with spacious rooms, mosaic floors and marble walls, obviously belonged to a noble citizen. The Street of Monuments, running from the southwest to the northeast through the northern district, was the main artery of the city and therefore, along its entire length, is decorated with fountains, porticos, engravings and sculptures. The local Basilica has already been completely liberated from the soil, as well as the building of the Duke's Headquarters - a fortress that once housed the Roman garrison. Sirena - Temple of Apollo, one of the oldest buildings in the city, erected in the 7th century BC. e. with later additions made over the next 300 years. Inscriptions with the names of the Roman priests of this temple are still read on both sides of the entrance. At the main altar at the entrance, a drainage device has still been preserved, through which the blood of sacrificial animals flowed. The fountain of Apollo is located just behind the Temple. Immediately, presumably by Emperor Troyan in 98 AD. e. Great Baths were built, but after they were destroyed during the Jewish pogrom, in 119 AD. e. they were restored by the emperor Andrian. The building is interesting for its exquisite decorations, marble walls and floors, mosaics and amazing roof vaults. The capitol, built already at the end of the Hellenic period, was turned by the Romans into a temple where they prayed to Jupiter, Juno and Minerva. At its entrance, four graceful Doric columns rise, and on them you can see Greek inscriptions left over from the time of Emperor Hadrian. Along the sides of the Caryatid Street, which runs east from the Agora, there were once many sculptures on pedestals. Now they are lying on the ground and irretrievably destroyed. On the street itself is the elegant house of Jason Magnus, one of the priests of the temple of Apollo. Sousa (Apollonia) - the old city wall, but it is in poor condition and is falling apart. Within the city walls are the Theatre, the Baths, the Main Street and the ruins of the Byzantine Palace. Numerous churches are scattered around, for example, the Church of the Double Walls, the Eastern Church of the 5th century AD. e. with several beautiful columns of green marble, the Central Church and the Western Church, built against the wall fortifications. In the center of the old town there is a small museum with some Byzantine mosaics and sculptures on display. Libya has a fairly long and beautiful sea coast with excellent beaches, but most of them do not have a modern recreation infrastructure. Kuf National Park.
ENTRY RULES: Everyone requires a visa, except: citizens of the countries of the Arab Union, subject to stay in the country for up to 3 months; transit passengers traveling through Libya to another country on the same or the first flight within 24 hours, provided that they have a valid ticket and are at the airport. It is obligatory to translate the passport into Arabic, made in the passport itself (!), the embassy will tell you where to apply for the translation. The Arabic version of the passport data is entered on one of the free pages of the passport. Without fulfilling this requirement, entry into the country is impossible even if you have a visa. Consular fee: work visa - $70, others - $17, processing for 1 day can be done by paying an additional $12 (possible only upon receipt of confirmation from Libya). Children entered in the passport of their parents enter the country without paying a consular fee. A transit visa is valid for 7 days, a work visa for 45 days (renewal is required), a tourist visa is valid for entry 1 month from the date of issue at the consulate and 1 month from the date of entry into the country. Visa-free transit is not permitted. Children under 16 fit into the visa of the parents (mother). Refuses entry to persons with Israeli stamps in their passports. Also prohibited from entry are married women and children - citizens of the Arab Union, if they arrive unaccompanied, unless they are met at the airport by their husbands or fathers, or they have a permit issued by the Immigration Service, and they are met by relatives living in the country, at whose invitation they come. Russian citizens must register with the passport department of the immigration service of the Ministry of Public Security within seven days. They can move around the country without special permission, except in closed areas. It is recommended to have full medical insurance.
CUSTOMS REGULATIONS: Import and export of foreign currency is not limited (subject to its mandatory declaration), national - is prohibited. Duty-free importation of cigarettes - 200 pcs., or cigars - 50 pcs., or tobacco 250 gr., perfumes - 250 ml., gold jewelry in the amount of up to 50 livs. dinars, items for personal use in the amount of up to 250 liv. dinars (clothing, as well as photo, film and video cameras are not included in this amount). Customs declarations filled out upon entry into the country with marks of the customs authorities are the basis for the subsequent export from the country of the items indicated in it. The import of alcoholic beverages, including beer, food products containing pork, weapons, drugs, goods made in Israel is prohibited. The issue of importing printed materials, film, photo and video materials is considered after they have been reviewed by censorship authorities.
Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, a state in North Africa. In the north it is washed by the Mediterranean Sea, in the east it borders with Egypt, in the southeast with Sudan, in the south with Chad and Niger, in the west with Algeria and in the northwest with Tunisia. Formerly an Italian colony, since 1951 an independent monarchy. As a result of a military coup in September 1969, King Idris I was overthrown, and Libya was proclaimed a republic. Until 1963, when Libya became a unitary state, the country had a federal structure and consisted of three historical regions - Tripolitania, Cyrenaica and Fezzan. The capital is Tripoli. Although Libya is one of the largest countries in Africa in terms of area, its population in 1998 was only 5.7 million people. Most of the country's territory is occupied by desert. Thanks to the exploitation of rich oil resources, which began in 1961, the once impoverished Libya has become a prosperous state with the highest per capita income in Africa.
social structure. For many centuries, the historical development of each of the two main regions of Libya - Tripolitania and Cyrenaica - went its own way. That is why social homogeneity is more manifested at the regional rather than at the national level. Distribution in the 19th century on the territory of Cyrenaica, the activities of the Senussi order further alienated these two areas, since the population of Tripolitania remained faithful to normative Sunni Islam. The Senussi religious-historical movement, founded by the grandfather of the former King Idris I, aimed to return to the origins of Islam. The population of Cyrenaica consisted mainly of nomads and semi-nomads, while a settled peasant and urban population lived in Tripolitania. A peculiar social organization is also characteristic of the population of the Fezzan desert region.
There is a small stratum of merchants and a small but ever-increasing group of officials, managers and qualified specialists. In the coastal zone and in Fezzan, the land is in individual private ownership. Areas with a nomadic population are characterized by collective ownership of land by tribal groups.
Public education. During the period of the Italian colonial presence in Libya, there was virtually no system of Western education. The beginning of its active distribution dates back to the time of the British military administration, and further development took place after the 1960s, when significant funds began to flow into independent Libya from the sale of oil. Education in the country is free at all levels and compulsory up to grade 9. In 1991-1992, there were 2744 elementary schools and 1555 secondary schools in Libya, 195 vocational and pedagogical colleges. There were also 10 universities and 10 pedagogical institutes (including corresponding departments at the universities of al-Fattah in Tripoli and Garyounis in Benghazi). There are 1.4 million children in elementary school, 310.5 thousand in secondary school, 37 thousand in vocational schools and 72.9 thousand in higher education. The development of technical training is mainly driven by the needs of the oil industry. There are 14 research centers in the country. The State provides material assistance to a network of Islamic educational institutions, including the Islamic University of Al-Beida, which is also a center for religious studies.
In Libya comes out approx. 20 newspapers and magazines in Arabic and English, few books published.
STORY The differences between the two main regions of the country - Tripolitania and Cyrenaica - go back to ancient times. In the 4th c. BC. Cyrenaica was colonized by the Greeks, then conquered by the army of Alexander the Great, then was under the control of the Ptolemaic dynasty, and already from them in 96 BC. went to the Roman Empire. The island of Crete was also part of the Roman province of Cyrenaica. Tripolitania was initially in the zone of influence of Phoenicia, and then Carthage. Ultimately, both areas became the possessions of the Roman Empire, but when it was divided, Cyrenaica became part of the eastern possessions, while Tripolitania remained under the direct control of Rome. In 455, the Vandals attacked the territory of Libya from the west, but in 533 the troops of Emperor Justinian managed to oust them from the country. In 642–644, the Arab cavalry invaded Libya, and the country became part of the Arab Caliphate, but until the 11th century. the local population was not converted to Islam. After the Arab conquest, Cyrenaica moved closer and closer to Egypt, while Tripolitania became part of the Western Arab world (Maghrib).
Between 1517 and 1577 Libya was conquered by the Ottoman Empire and until 1711 was under the control of governors from Istanbul. In 1711-1835, the local dynasty of Karamanly established itself in Libya, nominally remaining loyal to the sultan. In 1835 the country came under direct control of the Ottoman Empire. The Sultan personally appointed the wali, who had full power in Libya, turned into a vilayet (province).
Italy, which in 1911 began to seize the territory of Libya, ran into stubborn armed resistance from the local population. Until 1922, the Italians managed to maintain control over only some coastal areas, and only by 1932 did they manage to subjugate the entire country. Until 1934, Cyrenaica and Tripolitania were considered separate colonies of Italy, although they were under the control of one governor-general. Under Mussolini in 1939, Libya was incorporated into Italy.
During the Second World War, Libya became the scene of fierce hostilities, and in 1943 was occupied by the Allied forces. Under the 1947 peace treaty, Italy lost all rights to the territory of its former colony, the fate of which was to be decided during negotiations between France, Great Britain, the USA and the USSR. It was envisaged that if within a year the great powers could not come to an acceptable agreement, the fate of the country would be decided by the UN. In November 1949, the UN General Assembly decided to grant independence to Libya until January 1, 1952.
In 1950-1951, the work of the National Constituent Assembly took place, which included an equal number of representatives from all three regions of the country. The deputies of the assembly adopted a constitution and in December 1951 approved the Emir of Cyrenaica, Mohammed Idris al-Senusi, as king of Libya. On December 24, 1951, an independent federal kingdom was proclaimed, which included the provinces of Cyrenaica, Tripolitania, and Fezzan.
An independent Libya inherited a very poor and mostly illiterate population. In exchange for substantial economic and technical assistance, the Libyan government allowed the United States and Britain to maintain their military bases in the country. Since there were not enough lawyers and teachers in the country, specialists from Egypt were invited to the civil service.
The second decade of the country's independent path of development was strikingly different from the first. The flood of oil revenues into Libya allowed the government to forego foreign aid, and it terminated the agreement to keep American and British military bases on its territory. In 1963, the federal structure, which took into account the peculiarities of the historical development and traditions of the three parts of the country, was abolished, and Libya was declared a unitary state.
On September 1, 1969, a group of young army officers led by Muammar Gaddafi overthrew the regime of King Idris I. The country was named the Libyan Arab Republic, and all power was transferred to the Revolutionary Command Council. Gaddafi led the country in accordance with his proclaimed principle of "Islamic socialism" and was determined to reduce Libya's dependence on foreign influence. By 1973, 51% of the shares of all foreign oil companies had become state property. An important step was the nationalization of the retail network for the sale of petroleum products and gas, as well as the introduction of a state monopoly on the export of petroleum products. At the initiative of Gaddafi, the process of strengthening national sovereignty was carried out in the country: foreign military bases were withdrawn from Libya, nationalization of foreign property was carried out, and control over the production and sale of oil was introduced. Many leading positions in the economy and other spheres of life were occupied by citizens of the country. In the mid-1970s, after the deterioration of relations with Egypt, many Egyptians who worked in Libya were forced to leave it.
In 1977, M. Gaddafi, who served as General Secretary of the General People's Congress, became head of state. The country stepped up measures to oust private capital from retail and wholesale trade and eliminate private ownership of real estate. Gaddafi proclaimed a foreign policy course to provide active assistance to "revolutionary movements and regimes that oppose imperialism and colonialism", and supported international terrorism. In 1979, he resigned, declaring his intention to devote himself to developing the ideas of the Libyan revolution. Nevertheless, Gaddafi still remained a key figure in the political life of the country.
In the 1970s, oil prices rose significantly on world markets, which led to the accumulation of significant funds in Libya, which was a supplier of oil to Western countries. Government revenues from oil exports were used to finance urban development and the creation of a modern system of social security for the population. At the same time, to enhance the international prestige of Libya, huge sums were spent on the creation of a well-armed modern army. In the Middle East and North Africa, Libya acted as a carrier of the ideas of Arab nationalism and an uncompromising opponent of Israel and the United States. The sharp drop in oil prices in the mid-1980s led to a significant weakening of Libya. Meanwhile, the US administration accused Libya of complicity in international terrorism, and on April 15, 1986, the US bombed several cities in Libya.
In 1992, sanctions were applied against Libya after Libyan citizens blew up two passenger airliners. She denied all accusations and refused to extradite her citizens suspected of committing sabotage. In late 1993, Gaddafi suggested that the two Libyans accused of the Lockerbie bombing should be tried in any country in the world, but that the court should either be Muslim, or the composition of the court should consist entirely of Muslims. The proposal of the Libyan leader was rejected, and since 1992, UN sanctions have been renewed against Libya every six months, including the termination of military-technical cooperation and air travel, the freezing of Libyan assets, a ban on the import of certain types of equipment for the oil industry to Libya, etc. After the International a court in The Hague issued a verdict on the right of Chad to the Aouzu strip, occupied in 1973 by Libyan troops, Libya in 1994 withdrew its troops from the area.
In September 1995, as a sign of dissatisfaction with the peace agreements concluded earlier between the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and Israel, Gaddafi announced the deportation of 30 thousand Palestinians living there from Libya.
M., 1985
Proshin N.I., Roshchin M.Yu., Smirnova G.I. Libya. - In: Recent history of the Arab countries of Africa, 1917-1987. M., 1990
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Useful data for tourists about Libya, cities and resorts of the country. As well as information about the population, the currency of Libya, the cuisine, the features of visa and customs restrictions in Libya.
Geography of Libya
The Great Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya is a state in North Africa on the Mediterranean coast. In the west it borders with Algeria, in the northwest with Tunisia, in the south with Chad and Niger, in the southeast with Sudan, in the east with Egypt. In the north it is washed by the Mediterranean Sea.
The coastline of Libya in the central part of the coast goes deep into the land, forming the Gulf of Sidra (Greater Sirte), where the barren desert meets the Mediterranean Sea. In the northeast of the country is the higher and more populated plateau of Barqa el-Bayda, which forms the core of Cyrenaica. In the northwest is Tripolitania, and in the south is the Fezzan depression, hundreds of kilometers away from the coast.
State
State structure
Formally, Libya is a republic (jamahiriya), in reality it is a paramilitary dictatorship. The governing body of Libya - "Revolutionary leadership" (officially located outside the system of state power). The legislature is the General People's Congress.
Language
Official language: Arabic
Almost all Libyans speak Arabic. The Italian language was once widely used, especially among the educated stratum of Libyan society. During the years of the British administration (1943-1951), the English language became widespread, which became especially popular with the appearance of American and British oil companies in Libya.
Religion
With the exception of a very few Berbers belonging to the Ibadi or Kharijite sect of Islam, the Libyans are Sunni Muslims. Many residents of Cyrenaica are considered followers of the Senusite Dervish Brotherhood, a religious movement that spread to North Africa in the 18th century.
Currency
International name: LYD
The Libyan dinar is equal to 1000 dirhams. In circulation are banknotes in denominations of 10, 5 and 1 dinar, 1/2 and 1/4 dinar, as well as coins in denominations of 100 and 50 dirhams.
Currency can be exchanged at banks and officially authorized exchange offices. The circulation of foreign currency is formally prohibited.
Credit cards are limited to major hotels and airports. Traveller's checks are generally not accepted.
Libya Tourism
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Libya country in North Africa. In the north it is washed by the Mediterranean Sea. In the east it borders with Egypt, in the southeast - with Sudan, in the south - with Chad and Niger, in the west - with Algeria, in the northwest - with Tunisia.
The name of the country comes from the name of one of the local tribes - Livu. The word "jamahi-riya" means "democracy".
Capital
Square
Population
5241 thousand people
Administrative division
The state is divided into 46 municipal districts.
Form of government
Republic.
governing body
revolutionary leadership.
supreme legislative body
General People's Congress.
Supreme executive body. Supreme People's Committee (VNKOM)
Big cities
Official language. Arab.
Religion
97% are Sunni Muslims, 3% are Catholics.
Ethnic composition
97% are Arabs and Berbers.
Currency
Libyan dinar = 1000 dirhams.
Climate
The climate of the state is tropical, hot and arid, in the north - subtropical. Average monthly temperatures + 11-12°C. Precipitation varies from 100-250 mm in the south to 400-600 mm per year in the north.
Flora
Vegetation in Libya is sparse. Deserts (occupying 98% of the territory) are almost devoid of vegetation. Date palms, orange and olive trees grow in a few oases. Juniper and pistachio trees are found in mountainous areas.
Fauna
The fauna of Libya is represented by a hyena, a gazelle, a wild cat, an antelope. Birds include eagle, hawk, and vulture.
Rivers and lakes
There are no permanent rivers. Significant reserves of groundwater, a water pipeline (Great Man-Made River) has been laid for irrigating the land.
Attractions
In Tripoli - the Museum of Natural History, the Archaeological Museum, the Ethnographic Museum, the Museum of Epigraphy, the Museum of Islam, the Arc de Triomphe in honor of Emperor Marcus Aurelius, the mosques of Karamanli and Gurgi, the Spanish fortress in Al-Khum, the Leptis Magna Museum. Along the coast, the ruins of Phoenician and Roman settlements, including Roman baths, have been preserved.
Useful information for tourists
The traditional drink of the Arab countries is coffee. The process of its preparation and drinking is a complex ritual. First, the grains are roasted, stirring them with a metal stick, after which they are crushed in a special mortar with the obligatory observance of a certain rhythm. Coffee is brewed in copper or brass vessels similar to teapots. The finished drink is served in small cups, in order of seniority. Guests are offered coffee three times, after which decency requires you to thank the owner and refuse. Coffee is drunk without sugar, but with the addition of spices - cloves, cardamom, in some countries - saffron and nutmeg. The diet in Arab countries is two times a day: usually it is a very hearty breakfast and the same hearty lunch.
