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the country of Libya}}
{{featured article}}
'''Libya''' Bordering the ] to the north, Libya lies between ] to the east, ] to the southeast, ] and ] to the south, and ] and ] to the west. With an area of almost 1.8 million square kilometres (700,000&nbsp;sq&nbsp;mi), 90% of which is desert, Libya is the fourth largest country in ] by area, and the 17th ].<ref>U.N. Demographic Yearbook, (]),
{{Infobox Country or territory
|native_name = {{rtl-lang|ar|الجماهيرية العربية الليبية الشعبية الاشتراكية العظمى}}<br>''Al-Jamāhīriyyah al-`Arabiyyah al-Lībiyyah aš-Ša`biyyah al-Ištirākiyyah al-`Udhmā''
|conventional_long_name = Great Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya
|common_name = Libya
|image_flag = Flag of Libya.svg
|image_coat = Libyseal.png
|image_map = LocationLibya.png
|national_motto = "], ], ]" {{fact}}
|national_anthem = ]&nbsp;&nbsp;<small>(])</small><br/>"God is Great"
|official_languages = ]
|capital = ]
|latd=32 |latm=54 |latNS=N |longd=13 |longm=11 |longEW=E
|largest_city = Tripoli
|government_type = ]
|leader_title1 = Leader
|leader_title2 = ]
|leader_name1 = ]&nbsp;&nbsp;<small>]</small>&nbsp;<br>]&nbsp;&nbsp;<small>]</small>&nbsp;
|leader_name2 = ]
|area_rank = 17th
|area_magnitude = 1 E12
|area = 1,759,540
|areami² = 679,359 <!--Do not remove per ]-->
|percent_water = negligible
|population_census = 5,673,000<sup>1,2</sup>
|population_estimate = 5,673,000
|population_estimate_rank = 105th
|population_census_year = 2006
|population_density = 3.2
|population_densitymi² = 8.4 <!--Do not remove per ]-->
|population_density_rank = 218th
|GDP_PPP_year = 2005
|GDP_PPP = $67.244 billion
|GDP_PPP_rank = 67th
|GDP_PPP_per_capita = $11,630
|GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank = 58th
|HDI_year = 2004
|HDI = {{loss}} 0.798
|HDI_rank = 64th
|HDI_category = <font color="#FFCC00">medium</font>
|sovereignty_type = ]
|established_event1 = relinquished by ]
|established_event2 = from ]/]<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;under&nbsp;]
|established_date1 = ] ]
|established_date2 = ] ]
|currency = ]
|currency_code = LYD
|country_code = ly
|time_zone = ]
|utc_offset = +2
|time_zone_DST = ''not observed''
|utc_offset_DST = +2
|cctld = ]
|calling_code = 218
|footnotes = <sup>1</sup> Includes 350,000 foreigners.<br><sup>2</sup> , accessed ] ].
}}
{{otheruses1|the country of Libya}}
'''Libya''' ({{lang-ar|ليبيا}}, {{lang|ar-Latn|Lībiyā}}; ]: ]), officially the '''Great Socialist People's Libyan Arab ]''' ({{rtl-lang|ar|الجماهيرية العربية الليبية الشعبية الإشتراكية العظمى}}, {{lang|ar-Latn|Al-Jamāhīriyyah al-`Arabiyyah al-Lībiyyah aš-Ša`biyyah al-Ištirākiyyah al-`Udhmā}}), is a country in ]. Bordering the ] to the north, Libya lies between ] to the east, ] to the southeast, ] and ] to the south, and ] and ] to the west. With an area of almost 1.8 million square kilometres (700,000&nbsp;sq&nbsp;mi), 90% of which is desert, Libya is the fourth largest country in ] by area, and the 17th ].<ref>U.N. Demographic Yearbook, (]), , ''United Nations Statistics Division'', Accessed July 15 2006</ref> The ], ], is home to 1.7 million of Libya's 5.7 million people. The three traditional parts of the country are ], the ] and ].

The name "Libya" is derived from the ] term "]", which refers to one of the tribes of ]s living west of the ]. In ] this became "Libya", although in ] the term had a broader meaning, encompassing all of North Africa west of Egypt, and sometimes referring to the entire continent of Africa. The name "Libya" is derived from the ] term "]", which refers to one of the tribes of ]s living west of the ]. In ] this became "Libya", although in ] the term had a broader meaning, encompassing all of North Africa west of Egypt, and sometimes referring to the entire continent of Africa.


Libya has one of the highest ]s per person in Africa, largely because of its great ] reserves.<ref>Annual Statistical Bulletin, (2004),
Libya has one of the highest ]s per person in Africa, largely because of its great ] reserves.<ref>Annual Statistical Bulletin, (2004), , ''O.P.E.C.'', Accessed July 20 2006</ref><ref>World Economic Outlook Database, (April, 2006), , ''International Monetary Fund'', Accessed July 15 2006</ref>

The country is led by ], whose foreign policy has often brought him into conflict with the ].


==History of Libya == ==History of Libya ==
{{main|History of Libya}} {{main|History of Libya}}
Archaeological evidence indicates that from as early as the ], Libya's coastal plain was inhabited by a ] people who were skilled in the domestication of cattle and the cultivation of crops. <ref name="locberber">Federal Research Division of the Library of Congress, (1987), , ''U.S. Library of Congress'', Accessed July 11 2006</ref> This culture flourished for thousands of years in the region, until they were displaced or absorbed by the ]<!--When?-->. Archaeological evidence indicates that from as early as the ], Libya's coastal plain was inhabited by a ] people who were skilled in the domestication of cattle and the cultivation of crops. <ref name="locberber">Federal Research Division of the Library of Congress, (1987), The area known in modern times as Libya was later occupied by a series of peoples, with the ]ns, ], ], ], ] and ] ruling all or part of the area. Although the Greeks and Romans left ruins at ], ] and ], little other evidence remains of these ancient cultures.

The area known in modern times as Libya was later occupied by a series of peoples, with the ]ns, ], ], ], ] and ] ruling all or part of the area. Although the Greeks and Romans left ruins at ], ] and ], little other evidence remains of these ancient cultures.
] in the Roman city of ], west of Tripoli]] ] in the Roman city of ], west of Tripoli]]
The Phoenicians were the first to establish trading posts in Libya, when the merchants of ] (in present-day ]) developed commercial relations with the ] and made treaties with them to ensure their cooperation in the exploitation of raw materials.<ref>Herodotus, (c.]), ''Fordham University, New York'', Accessed July 18 2006</ref><ref>Federal Research Division of the Library of Congress, (1987), , ''U.S. Library of Congress'', Accessed July 11 2006</ref> By the ], ], the greatest of the Phoenician colonies, had extended its ] across much of North Africa, where a distinctive civilisation, known as ], came into being. Punic settlements on the Libyan coast included ] (Tripoli), Labdah (]) and ]. All these were in an area that was later called ], or "Three Cities". Libya's current-day capital Tripoli takes its name from this. The Phoenicians were the first to establish trading posts in Libya, when the merchants of ] (in present-day ]) developed commercial relations with the ] and made treaties with them to ensure their cooperation in the exploitation of raw materials.<ref>Herodotus, (c.]), By the ], ], the greatest of the Phoenician colonies, had extended its ] across much of North Africa, where a distinctive civilisation, known as ], came into being. Punic settlements on the Libyan coast included ] (Tripoli), Labdah (]) and ]. All these were in an area that was later called ], or "Three Cities". Libya's current-day capital Tripoli takes its name from this.


The ] conquered Eastern Libya when, according to tradition, emigrants from the crowded island of ] were commanded by the oracle at ] to seek a new home in North Africa. In ], they founded the city of ].<ref>Federal Research Division of the Library of Congress, (1987), , ''U.S. Library of Congress'', Accessed July 11 2006</ref> Within 200 years, four more important Greek cities were established in the area: ] (]); Euhesperides (later Berenice, present-day ]); ] (later Arsinoe, present-day Tukrah); and ] (Susah), the port of Cyrene. Together with Cyrene, they were known as the Pentapolis (Five Cities). The ] conquered Eastern Libya when, according to tradition, emigrants from the crowded island of ] were commanded by the oracle at ] to seek a new home in North Africa. In ], they founded the city of ].<ref>Federal Research Division of the Library of Congress, (1987),

The ] unified both regions of Libya, and for more than 400 years ] and ] became prosperous Roman provinces.<ref>Heuser, Stephen, (] ]), , ''The Boston Globe'' Accessed July 18 2006</ref> Roman ruins, such as those of Leptis Magna, attest to the vitality of the region, where populous cities and even small towns enjoyed the amenities of urban life. Merchants and artisans from many parts of the Roman world established themselves in North Africa, but the character of the cities of Tripolitania remained decidedly Punic and, in Cyrenaica, Greek.
]s conquered Libya in the ] ]. In the following centuries, many of the indigenous peoples adopted ], and also the ] and culture. The ] Turks conquered the country in the mid-16th century, and the three States or "]" of Tripolitania, Cyrenaica and Fezzan (which make up Libya) remained part of their empire with the exception of the virtual autonomy of the ] who ruled from ] until ] mainly in Tripolitania but had influence in Cyrenaica and Fezzan as well, at the peak their reign (mid ]). This constituted a first glimpse in recent history of the united and independent Libya that was to re-emerge two centuries later. Ironically, reunification came about through the unlikely route of an invasion and occupation starting from 1911 when Italy simultaneously turned the three regions into colonies.<ref>Country Profiles, (] ]), ''BBC News'', Accessed July 18 2006</ref>

In 1934, Italy adopted the name "Libya" (used by the Greeks for all of ], except Egypt) as the official name of the colony (made up of the three Provinces of ], ] and ]). ], Emir of Cyrenaica, led Libyan resistance to Italian occupation between the two World Wars. From 1943 to 1951, Tripolitania and Cyrenaica were under British administration, while the French controlled Fezzan. In 1944, Idris returned from exile in ] but declined to resume permanent residence in Cyrenaica until the removal of some aspects of foreign control in 1947. Under the terms of the 1947 peace treaty with the Allies, Italy relinquished all claims to Libya.<ref>Hagos, Tecola W., (] ]), , ''Ethiopia Tecola Hagos'', Accessed July 18 2006</ref>
] (1858–1931) was the leader of the Libyan uprising against Italian occupation.]]
On ] ], the ] passed a resolution stating that Libya should become independent before ] ]. Idris represented Libya in the subsequent UN negotiations. When Libya declared its independence on ] ], it was the first country to achieve independence through the UN, and one of the first European possessions in Africa to gain independence.<ref>, Global Connections - The Middle East, Accessed July 15 2006</ref> Libya was proclaimed a constitutional and hereditary ] under King Idris.
{{History of Libya}}


The ] unified both regions of Libya, and for more than 400 years ] and ] became prosperous Roman provinces.<ref>Heuser, Stephen, (] ]), [Roman ruins, such as those of Leptis Magna, attest to the vitality of the region, where populous cities and even small towns enjoyed the amenities of urban life. Merchants and artisans from many parts of the Roman world established themselves in North Africa, but the character of the cities of Tripolitania remained decidedly Punic and, in Cyrenaica, Greek.
]s conquered Libya in the ] ]. In the following centuries, many of the indigenous peoples adopted ], and also the ] and culture. The ] Turks conquered the country in the mid-16th century, and the three States or "]" of Tripolitania, Cyrenaica and Fezzan (which make up Libya) remained part of their empire with the exception of the virtual autonomy of the ] who ruled from ] until ] mainly in Tripolitania but had influence in Cyrenaica and Fezzan as well, at the peak their reign (mid ]). This constituted a first glimpse in recent history of the united and independent Libya that was to re-emerge two centuries later. Ironically, reunification came about through the unlikely route of an invasion and occupation starting from 1911 when Italy simultaneously turned the three regions into colonies.<ref>Country Profiles, (] ]),
In 1934, Italy adopted the name "Libya" (used by the Greeks for all of ], except Egypt) as the official name of the colony (made up of the three Provinces of ], ] and ]). ], Emir of Cyrenaica, led Libyan resistance to Italian occupation between the two World Wars. From 1943 to 1951, Tripolitania and Cyrenaica were under British administration, while the French controlled Fezzan. In 1944, Idris returned from exile in ] but declined to resume permanent residence in Cyrenaica until the removal of some aspects of foreign control in 1947. Under the terms of the 1947 peace treaty with the Allies, Italy relinquished all claims to Libya.<ref>Hagos, Tecola W., (] ]), ] (1858–1931) was the leader of the Libyan uprising against Italian occupation.]]
On ] ], the ] passed a resolution stating that Libya should become independent before ] ]. Idris represented Libya in the subsequent UN negotiations. When Libya declared its independence on ] ], it was the first country to achieve independence through the UN, and one of the first European possessions in Africa to gain independence.<ref
The discovery of significant ] in 1959 and the subsequent income from ] sales enabled one of the world's poorest nations to establish an extremely wealthy state. Although oil drastically improved the Libyan government's finances, popular resentment began to build over the increased concentration of the nation's wealth in the hands of King Idris and the national elite. This discontent continued to mount with the rise of ] and ] throughout North Africa and the ]. The discovery of significant ] in 1959 and the subsequent income from ] sales enabled one of the world's poorest nations to establish an extremely wealthy state. Although oil drastically improved the Libyan government's finances, popular resentment began to build over the increased concentration of the nation's wealth in the hands of King Idris and the national elite. This discontent continued to mount with the rise of ] and ] throughout North Africa and the ].


On ] ], a small group of military officers led by then 28-year-old army officer ] staged a '']'' against King Idris. At the time, Idris was in Turkey for medical treatment. His nephew, Crown Prince ], became King. It was clear that the revolutionary officers who had announced the deposition of King Idris did not want to appoint him over the instruments of state as King. Sayyid quickly found that he had substantially less power as the new King than he had earlier had as a mere Prince. Before the end of ], Sayyid Hasan ar-Rida had been formally deposed by the revolutionary army officers and put under house arrest. Meanwhile, revolutionary officers abolished the monarchy, and proclaimed the new Libyan Arab Republic. Gaddafi was, and is to this day, referred to as the "Brother Leader and Guide of the Revolution" in government statements and the official press.<ref>US Department of State's Background Notes, (Nov 2005) , ''U.S. Dept. of State'', Accessed July 14 2006</ref> On ] ], a small group of military officers led by then 28-year-old army officer ] staged a '']'' against King Idris. At the time, Idris was in Turkey for medical treatment. His nephew, Crown Prince ], became King. It was clear that the revolutionary officers who had announced the deposition of King Idris did not want to appoint him over the instruments of state as King. Sayyid quickly found that he had substantially less power as the new King than he had earlier had as a mere Prince. Before the end of ], Sayyid Hasan ar-Rida had been formally deposed by the revolutionary army officers and put under house arrest. Meanwhile, revolutionary officers abolished the monarchy, and proclaimed the new Libyan Arab Republic. Gaddafi was, and is to this day, referred to as the "Brother Leader and Guide of the Revolution" in government statements and the official press.<ref>US Department of State's Background Notes, (Nov 2005)

==Politics==
<!--Please add new information into relevant articles of the series-->
{{morepolitics|country=Libya}}
]
There are two branches of government in Libya. The "revolutionary sector" comprises Revolutionary Leader Gaddafi, the Revolutionary Committees and the remaining members of the 12-person Revolutionary Command Council, which was established in 1969.<ref>Federal Research Division of the Library of Congress, (1987), , ''U.S. Library of Congress'', Accessed July 14 2006</ref> The historical revolutionary leadership is not elected and cannot be voted out of office; they are in power by virtue of their involvement in the revolution. The revolutionary sector dictates the decision-making power of the second sector, the "] Sector".<!--What does it mean, to dictate decision-making power? This phrase is unclear. Determine? Stand over?-->

Constituting the ] branch of government, this sector<!--Does it mean the Jamahiriya sector? Unclear.--> comprises Local People's Congresses in each of the 1,500 urban wards, 32 Sha'biyat People's Congresses for the regions, and the National ]. These legislative bodies are represented by corresponding ] (Local People's Committees, Sha'biyat People's Committees and the National General People's Committee/Cabinet).

Every four years, the membership of the Local People's Congresses elects their own leaders and the ] for the People's Committees, sometimes after many debates and a critical vote. The leadership of the Local People's Congress represents the local congress at the People's Congress of the next level. The members of the National General People's Congress elect the members of the National General People's Committee (the ]) at their annual meeting.

The government controls both state-run and semi-autonomous media. In cases involving a violation of "certain taboos", the private press, like The Tripoli Post, has been censored <ref name="mediacont">Special Report 2006, (] ]), , ''Committee to Protect Journalists'', Accessed July 19 2006</ref>, although articles that are critical of policies have been requested and intentionally published by the revolutionary leadership itself as a means of initiating reforms.

] were banned by the 1972 Prohibition of Party Politics Act Number 71.<ref>Case Study: Libya, (2001), , ''Educational Module on Chemical & Biological Weapons Nonproliferation'', Accessed July 14 2006</ref> According to the Association Act of 1971, the establishment of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) is allowed. However, because they are required to conform to the goals of the revolution, their numbers are small in comparison with those in neighbouring countries. ]s do not exist,<ref>Hodder, Kathryn, (2000), , ''Social Watch Africa'', Accessed July 14 2006</ref> but numerous professional associations are integrated into the state structure as a third pillar, along with the People's Congresses and Committees. These associations do not have the right to strike. Professional associations send delegates to the General People's Congress, where they have a representative mandate.

===Foreign Relations===
{{main|Foreign relations of Libya}}
]
Libya's foreign policies have undergone much fluctuation and change since the state was proclaimed on ], ]. As a Kingdom, Libya maintained a definitively pro-Western stance, yet was recognized as belonging to the conservative traditionalist bloc in the ] (Arab League), of which it became a member in 1953.<ref>Federal Research Division of the Library of Congress, (1987), , ''U.S. Library of Congress'', Accessed July 14 2006</ref> The government was in close alliance with ] and the ]; both countries maintained military base rights in Libya. Libya also forged close ties with France, Italy, Greece, and ], and established full diplomatic relations with the ] in 1955.

Although the government supported Arab causes, including the Moroccan and Algerian independence movements, it took little active part in the ] or the tumultuous inter-Arab politics of the 1950s and early 1960s. The Kingdom was noted for its close association with the West, while it steered an essentially conservative course at home.<ref>Abadi, Jacob (2000), , ''The Journal of Conflict Studies: Volume XX Number 1 Fall 2000, University of New Brunswick'', Accessed July 19 2006</ref>

After the 1969 ], Gaddafi closed American and British bases and partially ] foreign oil and commercial interests in Libya. He also played a key role in promoting oil ] as a political weapon for challenging the West, hoping that an oil price rise and embargo in 1973 would persuade the West, especially the United States, to end support for Israel. Gaddafi rejected both Soviet ] and Western ] and claimed he was charting a middle course for his government.<ref>The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition, (2001 - 2005), , ''Bartleby Books'', Accessed July 19 2006</ref>

In the 1980s, Libya increasingly distanced itself from the West, and was accused of committing mass acts of state sponsored terrorism. When evidence of Libyan complicity was discovered in the ] that killed two American servicemen, the United States responded by launching an ] against targets near Tripoli and ] in April 1986.<ref>Boyne, Walter J., (March, 1999), , ''Air Force Association Journal, Vol. 82, No. 3'', Accessed ] ]</ref>

In 1991, two Libyan ]s were indicted by federal prosecutors in the U.S. and Scotland for their involvement in the December 1988 bombing of ]. Six other Libyans were put on trial in absentia for the 1989 bombing of ]. The ] demanded that Libya surrender the suspects, cooperate with the Pan Am 103 and UTA 772 investigations, pay compensation to the victims' families, and cease all support for terrorism. Libya's refusal to comply led to the approval of UNSC Resolution 748 on ], ], imposing sanctions on the state designed to bring about Libyan compliance. Continued Libyan defiance led to further sanctions by the UN against Libya in November 1993.<ref>(2003), , Global Policy Forum, Accessed July 19 2006</ref>

In 2003, more than a decade after the sanctions were put in place, Libya began to make dramatic policy changes vis-à-vis the ] with the open intention of pursuing a Western-Libyan ]. The Libyan government announced its decision to abandon its ] programs and pay almost 3 billion US dollars in compensation to the families of Pan Am flight 103 as well as UTA Flight 772.<ref>Marcus, Jonathan, (], ]), , ''BBC News'', Accessed July 15 2006</ref> The decision was welcomed by many western nations and was seen as an important step for Libya toward rejoining the international community.<ref>U.K. Politics, (], ]), , ''BBC news'', Accessed July 15 2006</ref> Since 2003 the country has made efforts to normalize its ties with the ] and the United States and has even coined the catchphrase, 'The Libya Model', an example intended to show the world what can be achieved through negotiation rather than force when there is goodwill on both sides.

====2006 HIV trial====

However, Libya's efforts have been overshadowed by the ] in the country.<ref>Hirsh, Michael, (], ]), The only stain on the new Libyan foreign policy is the trial against the Bulgarian medics., ''Newsweek'', Accessed July 15 2006</ref><ref>December 19, 2006, , ''The Economist''</ref><ref>December 19, 2006, , ''The New York Times''</ref> Five Bulgarian nurses and a Palestinian doctor were charged with intentionally infecting 426 Libyan children with HIV at a Benghazi hospital, as part of a plot by the West to destabilize the regime. In spite of scientific evidence showing infections took place before the medics' arrival to Libya and after their arrest<ref>, ''Nature''</ref>, the court found them guilty, based in part on confessions extracted under torture, and sentenced them to death in 2004 and, after a retrial, in late 2006. The court's methods have been criticized by a number of human rights organizations, and its verdicts condemned by the United States and the European Union.<ref>December 19, 2006 </ref>

===Human rights===
{{main|Human rights in Libya}}
According to the U.S. Department of State’s annual ] report for 2004, Libya’s ] regime continued to have a poor record in the area of human rights. Some of the numerous and serious abuses on the part of the government include poor prison conditions, arbitrary arrest and detention, prisoners held incommunicado, and ]s held for many years without charge or trial. The judiciary is controlled by the state, and there is no right to a fair public trial. Libyans do not have the right to change their government. ], ], ], ], and ] are restricted. Independent human rights organizations are prohibited. ] against women appears to be widespread, and there have been reports of ]. Ethnic and tribal minorities suffer discrimination, and the state continues to restrict the ] of foreign workers.

In 2005, the ] rated ] in Libya as "7" (1 representing the most free and 7 the least free rating), ] as "7" and gave it the freedom rating of "Not Free".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.freedomhouse.org/uploads/pdf/Charts2006.pdf|title=Freedom in the World 2006|publisher=]|date=]|accessdate=2006-07-27|format={{PDFlink}}}}<br/>See also ], ]</ref>

== Administrative Divisions ==
{{main|Municipalities of Libya}}

Libya was divided into several governorates ('']'') before being split into 25 municipalities ('']''), see ].<ref>Lahmeyer, Jan, (] ]), , ''Universiteit Utrecht'', Accessed July 19 2006</ref> Currently Libya is divided into thirty two '']''.<ref>Jamahiriya News Agency, (] ]), ''Mathaba News'', Accessed July 19 2006</ref><ref>{{ar icon}} , ''Website of the General People's Committee of Libya'' Accessed ] ]</ref>
{| border="0" width="100%"
| colspan="2" | The 32 municipalities are:|| rowspan="17" width="322" style="vertical-align: middle;" |
]
|-
| width="25%" | <small>1</small> ] || width="35%" | <small>17</small> ] ||
|-
| <small>2</small> ] || <small>18</small> ]
|-
| <small>3</small> ] || <small>19</small> ]
|-
| <small>4</small> ] || <small>20</small> ]
|-
| <small>5</small> ] || <small>21</small> ]
|-
| <small>6</small> ] || <small>22</small> ]
|-
| <small>7</small> ] || <small>23</small> ]
|-
| <small>8</small> ] || <small>24</small> ]
|-
| <small>9</small> ] || <small>25</small> ]
|-
| <small>10</small> ] || <small>26</small> ] (Tripoli)
|-
| <small>11</small> ] || <small>27</small> ]
|-
| <small>12</small> ] || <small>28</small> ]
|-
| <small>13</small> ] || <small>29</small> ]
|-
| <small>14</small> ] || <small>30</small> ]
|-
| <small>15</small> ] || <small>31</small> ]
|-
| <small>16</small> ] || <small>32</small> ]
|}

== Geography ==
{{main|Geography of Libya}}
]
] near Benghazi is Libya's wettest region. Annual rainfall averages at between 400 and 600 millimetres.<ref>Federal Research Division of the Library of Congress, (1987), , ''U.S. Library of Congress'', Accessed July 15 2006</ref>]]
Libya extends over 1,759,540&nbsp;square kilometres (679,182&nbsp;]), making it the ]. Libya is somewhat smaller than ], and roughly the size of the US state of ]. It is bound to the north by the ], the west by ] and Algeria, the southwest by ], the south by ] and ] and to the east by ]. At 1770&nbsp;kilometres (1100&nbsp;miles), Libya's coastline is the longest of any African country bordering the Mediterranean.<ref>(2005), , ''Education Libya'', Accessed ] ]</ref><ref>(] ]), , ''CIA World Factbook'', Accessed July 23 2006</ref> The climate is mostly dry and desert-like in nature. However, the northern regions enjoy a milder ].

Natural hazards come in the form of hot, dry, dust-laden ] (known in Libya as the ''gibli''). This is a southern wind blowing from one to four days in spring and autumn. There are also ]s and ]s. ] can also be found scattered throughout Libya, the most important of which are ] and ] as well as others.

{{-}}
=== Libyan Desert ===
{{MapLibrary|Libya_sat.jpg|Libya}}
]
The ], which covers much of eastern Libya, is one of the most arid places on earth. In places, decades may pass without ], and even in the ] rainfall happens erratically, once every 5-10 years. At Uweinat, the last recorded ] was in September 1998.<ref name="Libdesert">Zboray, András, , ''Fliegel Jezerniczky Expeditions'', Accessed July 14 2006</ref> There is a large ], the ], just to the south of the northernmost scarp, with Siwa oasis at its western extremity. The depression continues in a shallower form west, to the oases of Jaghbub and Jalo.

Likewise, the temperature in the Libyan desert can be extreme; in 1922, the town of ], which is located west of ], recorded an air temperature of 57.8 °] (136.0 °]), generally accepted as the highest recorded naturally occurring air temperature reached on Earth.<ref>Hottest Place, , ''Extreme Science'', Accessed July 14 2006</ref>

There are a few scattered uninhabited small oases, usually linked to the major depressions, where water can be found by digging to a few feet in depth. In the west there is a widely dispersed group of oases in unconnected shallow depressions, the Kufra group, consisting of Tazerbo, Rebiana and Kufra.<ref name="Libdesert" /> Aside from the scarps, the general flatness is only interrupted by a series of ]s and massifs near the centre of the Libyan Desert, around the convergence of the Egyptian-Sudanese-Libyan Borders.

Slightly further to the south are the massifs of Arkenu, Uweinat and Kissu. These ] mountains are very ancient, having formed much before the sandstones surrounding them. Arkenu and Western Uweinat are ring complexes very similar to those in the ]. Eastern Uweinat (the highest point in the Libyan Desert) is a raised sandstone plateau adjacent to the granite part further west.<ref name="Libdesert" /> The plain to the north of Uweinat is dotted with eroded volcanic features.

== Economy ==
{{main|Economy of Libya}}
]
The Libyan economy depends primarily upon revenues from the oil sector, which constitute practically all ] earnings and about one-quarter of ] (]). These oil revenues and a small population give Libya one of the highest GDPs per person in Africa and have allowed the Libyan state to provide an extensive and impressive level of social security, particularly in the fields of housing and education.<ref>United Nations Economic & Social Council, (] ]), , ''Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights'', Accessed July 14 2006</ref>]
Compared to its neighbours, Libya enjoys an extremely low level of both ] ]. Libyan officials in the past three years have made progress on economic reforms as part of a broader campaign to reintegrate the country into the international fold.<ref name="spooks">The World Factbook, (]), , ''CIA World Factbook'', Accessed July 14 2006</ref> This effort picked up steam after ] were lifted in September ], and as Libya announced in December 2003 that it would abandon programs to build weapons of mass destruction.<ref>W.M.D., (2003), , ''Global Security Report'', Accessed ] ]</ref>

Libya has begun some market-oriented reforms. Initial steps have included applying for membership of the ], reducing ], and announcing plans for ].<ref>Reuters, (] ]), , ''Trade Law Centre for Southern Africa'', Accessed July 16 2006</ref> The non-oil manufacturing and construction sectors, which account for about 20% of GDP, have expanded from processing mostly agricultural products to include the production of ]s, ], ] and ]. Climatic conditions and poor soils severely limit agricultural output, and Libya imports about 75% of its food.<ref name="spooks" /> Water is also a problem, with some 28% of the population not having access to safe drinking water in 2000.<ref>(2001), , ''WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme'', Accessed October 8 2006</ref>

Under the previous Prime Minister, ], and current prime minister ], Libya is undergoing a business boom. Many government-run industries are being privatised. Most US sanctions have been lifted; and as of May 2006, the remaining vestiges are scheduled for removal pending US Congressional approval. Many international oil companies have returned to the country, including oil giants ] and ].<ref>Volume: 23, No. 27, (]), , ''Oil & Gas Worldwide News'', Accessed July 14 2006</ref> Tourism is on the rise, bringing increased demand for hotel accommodation and for capacity at airports such as ]. A multi-million dollar renovation of Libyan airports has recently been approved by the government to help meet such demands.<ref>Jawad, Rana, (] ]), ''BBC News'', Accessed July 22 2006</ref> At present 300,000 people visit the country annually; the Libyan government hopes to increase this figure to an ambitious 10,000,000 by 2015.<ref>Guerraoui, Saad, (], ]), , ''Middle East Online'', Accessed Sep 16 2006</ref>
{{-}}

== Demographics ==
{{main|Demographics of Libya}}
]
Libya has a small population within its large territory, with a ] of about 3 people per square kilometre (8.5/mi²) in the two northern regions of ] and ], and less than one person per square kilometre (1.6/mi²) elsewhere. Libya is thus one of the least dense nations by area in the world.<ref>Earth Trends, Environmental Information, (]), , ''World Resources Institute'', Accessed July 19 2006</ref> 90% of the people live in less than 10% of the area, mostly along the coast. More than half the population is urban, concentrated to a greater extent, in the two largest cities, ] and ].<ref>Al-Amari, Mailud, (Nov ]), , ''American Public Health Association'', Accessed July 17 2006</ref> Native Libyans are primarily a mixture of ]s and ].

There are small ] (a Berber population) and ] tribal groups concentrated in the south, living ]ic or semi-nomadic lifestyles. Among foreign residents, the largest groups are citizens of other African nations, including North Africans (primarily ] and Tunisians), West Africans and ] Africans.<ref>Libya Demographics and Geography, (]), ''The Columbia Gazetteer of the World'', Accessed July 17 2006</ref> According to the CIA Factbook, which can be unreliable in its population composition statistics, Libyan Berbers and Arabs constitute 97% of the population; the other 3% are ] Africans, ], ], ], ], ]is, ], ]ns and Tunisians.<ref>The World Factbook, (2006), , ''CIA World Factbook'', Accessed ] ]</ref> However, Libyan authorities estimate that illegal aliens from Sub-Saharan Africa number as much as two million out of a population of 5.5 million, <ref>Africa migration to Europe inevitable - Gaddafi, , Accessed November 28, 2006</ref> which if true would indicate the black African population may be as high as 36%.

The main language spoken in Libya is ], which is also the official language. ] (i.e. Berber languages), which do not have official status, are spoken by Libyan Berbers.<ref>Anderson, Lisa, (2006), , ''MSN Encarta'', Accessed July 17 2006</ref> Berber speakers live above all in the ] region (]), the town of ] on the coast, and the city-oases of ], ] and ]. In addition, Tuaregs speak ], the only known Northern ] language. ] and ] are sometimes spoken in the big cities, although Italian speakers are mainly among the older generation.

=== Education ===
]
Libya's population includes 1.7 million students, over 270,000 of whom study at the ].<ref name="Libedu">Clark, Nick, (July ]), , ''World Education News and Reviews, Volume 17, Issue 4'', Accessed July 22 2006</ref> Education in Libya is free for all citizens,<ref>Federal Research Division of the Library of Congress, (1987), , ''U.S. Library of Congress'', Accessed July 22 2006</ref> and compulsory up until ]. The literacy rate is the highest in North Africa; over 88% of the population can read and write.<ref>(], ]), , ''Reuters'', Accessed September 15 2006</ref> After Libya's independence in 1951, its first university, the University of Libya, was established in Benghazi.<ref name="Libedu2">El-Hawat, Ali, (2000), , ''International Network for Higher Education in Africa", Accessed July 22 2006</ref> In academic year 1975/76 the number of university students was estimated to be 13,418. As of 2004, this number has increased to more than 200,000, with an extra 70,000 enrolled in the higher technical and vocational sector.<ref name="Libedu" /> The rapid increase in the number of students in the higher education sector has been mirrored by an increase in the number of institutions of higher education. Since 1975 the number of universities has grown from two to nine and after their introduction in 1980, the number of higher technical and vocational institutes currently stands at 84(with 12 public universities).<ref name="Libedu" /> Libya's higher education is financed by the public budget. In 1998 the budget allocated for education represented 38.2% of the national budget.<ref name="Libedu2" />

The Main universities in Libya are:
* ] (Tripoli)
* ] (Benghazi)

=== Religion ===
{{main|Islam in Libya}}
By far the predominant religion in Libya is ] with 97% of the population associating with the faith.<ref>Religious adherents by location, ''Adherents.com'', Accessed July 15, 2006</ref> The vast majority of Libyan Muslims adhere to ], which provides both a spiritual guide for individuals and a keystone for government policy, but a conspicuous minority (between 5 and 10%) adheres to ] (a branch of ]), above all in the Jebel Nefusa and the town of Zuwarah. This minority, both linguistic and religious, suffers from a lack of consideration by the official authorities.
], close to the Tunisian and Algerian border. 97% of Libyans are followers of Islam.]]
Before the 1930s, the ] Movement was the primary Islamic movement in Libya. This was a religious revival adapted to desert life. Its ''zawaayaa'' (lodges) were found in ] and ], but Sanusi influence was strongest in ]. Rescuing the region from unrest and anarchy, the Sanusi movement gave the Cyrenaican tribal people a religious attachment and feelings of unity and purpose.<ref name="sanusi">Federal Research Division of the Library of Congress, (1989), , ''U.S. Library of Congress'', Accessed July 22, 2006</ref> This Islamic movement, which was eventually destroyed by both ] and later the Gaddafi government,<ref name="sanusi" /> was very conservative and somewhat different from the Islam that exists in Libya today. Gaddafi asserts that he is a devout Muslim, and his government is taking a role in supporting Islamic institutions and in worldwide proselytizing on behalf of Islam.<ref>Federal Research Division of the Library of Congress, (1989), , ''US Library of Congress'', Accessed July 19 2006</ref> Libyan Islam, however, has always been considered traditional, but in no way harsh compared to Islam in other countries. A Libyan form of ] is also common in parts of the country.<ref>Libya - Religion, (] ]), ''Arabic News'', Accessed July 19 2006</ref>

Other than the overwhelming majority of Sunni Muslims, there are also very small ] communities, composed almost exclusively of foreigners. There is a small ] community, made up mostly of African immigrant workers in Tripoli; it is part of the Egyptian Diocese.<ref>(]), ''Jewish Virtual Library'', Accessed July 19 2006</ref> There are also an estimated 40,000 ] in Libya who are served by two Bishops, one in Tripoli (serving the ] community) and one in ] (serving the ] community).

Libya was until recent times the home of one of the oldest ]ish communities in the world, dating back to at least ].<ref>The World Jewish Congress, , ''University of California at Berkeley'', Accessed July 16 2006</ref> A series of ]s beginning in November of 1945 lasted for almost three years, drastically reducing Libya's Jewish population.<ref name="harris">Harris, David A. (2001), <u>"In the Trenches: Selected Speeches and Writings of an American Jewish Activist"<u>, 1979-1999, pp. 149-150</ref> In 1948, about 38,000 Jews remained in the country. Upon Libya's independence in 1951, most of the Jewish community emigrated. After the ] in 1956, all but about 100 Jews were forced to flee.

{{further|]}}

== Culture ==
{{main|Culture of Libya}}
]
Libya is culturally similar to its neighboring ]. While the primary language of the country is a ],<ref>Gordon, Raymond G., Jr. (ed.), (2005), , ''Ethnologue: Languages of the World, Fifteenth edition'', Accessed ] ]</ref> the Libyan people consider themselves very much a part of a wider Arab community. There seem to be two distinct ]s and a small number of village and tribal dialects. Libyan Arabs have a heritage in the traditions of the nomadic ] and associate themselves with a particular Bedouin tribe.

Family life is important for Libyan families, the majority of which live in ] and other independent housing units, with precise modes of housing depending on their income and wealth. Although the Libyan Arabs traditionally lived nomadic lifestyles in tents, they have now settled in various towns and cities.<ref>Al-Hawaat, Dr. Ali, (1994), ''National Center for Research and Scientific Studiesof Libya'', Accessed ] ]</ref> Because of this, their old ways of life are gradually fading out. An unknown small number of Libyans still live in the desert as their families have done for centuries. Most of the population has occupations in ] and ], and a small percentage is in ].

As with some other countries in the Arab world, Libya boasts few theatres or art galleries. Public entertainment is almost nonexistent, even in the big cities.<ref>News and Trends: Africa, (] ]), ''Alexander's Gas & Oil Connections'', Accessed July 19 2006.</ref> Recently however, there has been a revival of the arts in Libya, especially painting: private galleries are springing up to provide a showcase for new talent.<ref>About Libya, , ''Discover Libya Travel'', Accessed July 14 2006.</ref> Conversely, for many years there have been no public theatres, and only a few cinemas showing foreign films. The tradition of ] is still alive and well, with troupes performing music and dance at frequent festivals, both in Libya and abroad. The main output of Libyan television is devoted to showing various styles of traditional Libyan music. ] and dance are popular in ] and the south. Libyan television programmes are mostly in Arabic with a 30-minute news broadcast each evening in English and French. The government maintains strict control over all media outlets. A new analysis by the ] has found Libya’s media the most tightly controlled in the Arab world.<ref name="mediacont" /> To combat this, the government plans to introduce private media, an initiative intended to bring the country's media in from the cold.<ref>(] ]), , ''Middle East Times'', Accessed July 21 2006</ref>

Many Libyans frequent the country's beaches. They also visit Libya's beautifully-preserved archaeological sites—especially ], which is widely considered to be one of the best preserved Roman archaeological sites in the world.<ref>Donkin, Mike, (] ]), , ''BBC News'', Accessed July 19 2006</ref>

The nation's capital, ], boasts many good museums and archives; these include the Government Library, the Ethnographic Museum, the Archaeological Museum, the National Archives, the Epigraphy Museum and the Islamic Museum. The Jamahiriya Museum, built in consultation with ], may be the country's most famous. It houses one of the finest collections of classical art in the Mediterranean.<ref>Bouchenaki, Mounir, (1989), , ''UNESCO, Museum Architecture: beyond the <<temple>> and ... beyond'', Accessed ] ]</ref>

{{see|Music of Libya}}

== See also ==
{{Libyan topics}}
]

==International rankings==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Organisation
! Survey
! Ranking
|-
| ]/'']''
|
| 152 out of 157
|-
| '']''
|
| 70 out of 111
|-
| ]
|
| 9 out of 20
|-
| ]
|
| 162 out of 167
|-
| ]
|
| 117 out of 158
|-
| ]
|
|58 out of 177
|}

==References==
<div class="references-small">
<references />
</div>

* ''Libya'', Anthony Ham, Lonely Planet Publications, 2002, ISBN 0-86442-699-2
* ''Libya Handbook'', Jamez Azema, Footprint Handbooks, 2001, ISBN 1-900949-77-6
* Harris, David A. (2001). ''In the Trenches: Selected Speeches and Writings of an American Jewish Activist, 1979-1999''. KTAV Publishing House, Inc. ISBN 0-88125-693-5
* Wright, John L. ''Nations of the Modern World: Libya'', Ernest Benn Ltd, 1969
* {{CIAfb}}{{clr}}
*{{StateDept}}

== External links ==
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*http://www.focusonlibya.com/news, business, visa

{{Countries and territories of North Africa}}
{{Africa}}
{{Countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea}}
{{Member states of the African Union}}
{{Arab League}}
{{OIC}}
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Revision as of 16:14, 2 January 2007

the country of Libya}} Libya Bordering the Mediterranean Sea to the north, Libya lies between Egypt to the east, Sudan to the southeast, Chad and Niger to the south, and Algeria and Tunisia to the west. With an area of almost 1.8 million square kilometres (700,000 sq mi), 90% of which is desert, Libya is the fourth largest country in Africa by area, and the 17th largest in the world.<ref>U.N. Demographic Yearbook, (2003), The name "Libya" is derived from the Egyptian term "Libu", which refers to one of the tribes of Berber peoples living west of the Nile. In Greek this became "Libya", although in ancient Greece the term had a broader meaning, encompassing all of North Africa west of Egypt, and sometimes referring to the entire continent of Africa.

Libya has one of the highest Gross Domestic Products per person in Africa, largely because of its great oil reserves.<ref>Annual Statistical Bulletin, (2004),

History of Libya

Main article: History of Libya

Archaeological evidence indicates that from as early as the 8th millennium BC, Libya's coastal plain was inhabited by a Neolithic people who were skilled in the domestication of cattle and the cultivation of crops. <ref name="locberber">Federal Research Division of the Library of Congress, (1987), The area known in modern times as Libya was later occupied by a series of peoples, with the Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Greeks, Romans, Vandals and Byzantines ruling all or part of the area. Although the Greeks and Romans left ruins at Cyrene, Leptis Magna and Sabratha, little other evidence remains of these ancient cultures.

Ruins of the theatre in the Roman city of Sabratha, west of Tripoli

The Phoenicians were the first to establish trading posts in Libya, when the merchants of Tyre (in present-day Lebanon) developed commercial relations with the Berber tribes and made treaties with them to ensure their cooperation in the exploitation of raw materials.<ref>Herodotus, (c.430 BC), By the 5th century BC, Carthage, the greatest of the Phoenician colonies, had extended its hegemony across much of North Africa, where a distinctive civilisation, known as Punic, came into being. Punic settlements on the Libyan coast included Oea (Tripoli), Labdah (Leptis Magna) and Sabratha. All these were in an area that was later called Tripolis, or "Three Cities". Libya's current-day capital Tripoli takes its name from this.

The Greeks conquered Eastern Libya when, according to tradition, emigrants from the crowded island of Thera were commanded by the oracle at Delphi to seek a new home in North Africa. In 631 BC, they founded the city of Cyrene.<ref>Federal Research Division of the Library of Congress, (1987),

The Romans unified both regions of Libya, and for more than 400 years Tripolitania and Cyrenaica became prosperous Roman provinces.<ref>Heuser, Stephen, (July 24 2005), [Roman ruins, such as those of Leptis Magna, attest to the vitality of the region, where populous cities and even small towns enjoyed the amenities of urban life. Merchants and artisans from many parts of the Roman world established themselves in North Africa, but the character of the cities of Tripolitania remained decidedly Punic and, in Cyrenaica, Greek. Arabs conquered Libya in the 7th century CE. In the following centuries, many of the indigenous peoples adopted Islam, and also the Arabic language and culture. The Ottoman Turks conquered the country in the mid-16th century, and the three States or "Wilayat" of Tripolitania, Cyrenaica and Fezzan (which make up Libya) remained part of their empire with the exception of the virtual autonomy of the Karamanlis who ruled from 1711 until 1835 mainly in Tripolitania but had influence in Cyrenaica and Fezzan as well, at the peak their reign (mid 18th century). This constituted a first glimpse in recent history of the united and independent Libya that was to re-emerge two centuries later. Ironically, reunification came about through the unlikely route of an invasion and occupation starting from 1911 when Italy simultaneously turned the three regions into colonies.<ref>Country Profiles, (May 16 2006), In 1934, Italy adopted the name "Libya" (used by the Greeks for all of North Africa, except Egypt) as the official name of the colony (made up of the three Provinces of Cyrenaica, Tripolitania and Fezzan). King Idris I, Emir of Cyrenaica, led Libyan resistance to Italian occupation between the two World Wars. From 1943 to 1951, Tripolitania and Cyrenaica were under British administration, while the French controlled Fezzan. In 1944, Idris returned from exile in Cairo but declined to resume permanent residence in Cyrenaica until the removal of some aspects of foreign control in 1947. Under the terms of the 1947 peace treaty with the Allies, Italy relinquished all claims to Libya.<ref>Hagos, Tecola W., (November 20 2004), ] On November 21 1949, the UN General Assembly passed a resolution stating that Libya should become independent before January 1 1952. Idris represented Libya in the subsequent UN negotiations. When Libya declared its independence on December 24 1951, it was the first country to achieve independence through the UN, and one of the first European possessions in Africa to gain independence.<ref The discovery of significant oil reserves in 1959 and the subsequent income from petroleum sales enabled one of the world's poorest nations to establish an extremely wealthy state. Although oil drastically improved the Libyan government's finances, popular resentment began to build over the increased concentration of the nation's wealth in the hands of King Idris and the national elite. This discontent continued to mount with the rise of Nasserism and Arab nationalism throughout North Africa and the Middle East.

On September 1 1969, a small group of military officers led by then 28-year-old army officer Muammar Abu Minyar al-Gaddafi staged a coup d’état against King Idris. At the time, Idris was in Turkey for medical treatment. His nephew, Crown Prince Sayyid Hasan ar-Rida al-Mahdi as-Sanussi, became King. It was clear that the revolutionary officers who had announced the deposition of King Idris did not want to appoint him over the instruments of state as King. Sayyid quickly found that he had substantially less power as the new King than he had earlier had as a mere Prince. Before the end of September 1, Sayyid Hasan ar-Rida had been formally deposed by the revolutionary army officers and put under house arrest. Meanwhile, revolutionary officers abolished the monarchy, and proclaimed the new Libyan Arab Republic. Gaddafi was, and is to this day, referred to as the "Brother Leader and Guide of the Revolution" in government statements and the official press.<ref>US Department of State's Background Notes, (Nov 2005)