Overview of Libya

Profile

Libya is located in northern Africa, bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the north, Egypt to the east, Tunisia and Algeria to the west, and Niger, Chad, and Sudan to the south. While 90% of the land is Sahara Desert, the northern coastal area enjoys a temperate Mediterranean climate and retains many ruins from ancient Phoenician and Roman times. Abundant petroleum and natural gas resources form the economic backbone, with per capita GDP among Africa''s highest. After the 2011 revolution and Gaddafi regime collapse, political and security turmoil has continued, but in 2021 a Government of National Unity was established and reconstruction is advancing.

Official name: State of Libya
Common name: Libya
Numeric code: 434
Alpha-3 code: LBY
Alpha-2 code: LY
Population: Approximately 7 million (2023)
Population density: About 4 people/km2
Primary languages: Arabic
Major religions: Islam (predominantly Sunni)
National anthem: Libya, Libya, Libya (Ye Biladi)
Calling code: +218
Internet TLD: .ly

History

After ancient Roman provinces through Ottoman and Italian rule, independence in 1951. Revolution in 2011 followed by civil war and peace negotiations repeatedly.

Libyan lands were ruled by Phoenicia, Carthage, Roman Empire, and Byzantine Empire before Islamization in the 7th century. The Ottoman Empire governed from the 16th century, becoming an Italian colony after the 1911 Italo-Turkish War. Following a UN resolution after World War II, Libya became independent as the Kingdom of Libya in 1951. In 1969, Colonel Gaddafi launched a coup, establishing a socialist Jamahiriya system. The 2011 Arab Spring toppled the regime, and after continued multi-faction civil war, a Government of National Unity was recognized in 2021 under UN mediation, with a transitional period toward unified elections continuing.

Geography & climate

North has fertile coastal plains, central region rock desert and sand dunes, south Sahara terrain dotted with plateaus and salt lakes

Mediterranean climate and Saharan desert climate polarization

Area: Africa / 1759540 km²
Capital: Tripoli
Largest city: Tripoli
Coastal status: Yes
Bordering countries: Egypt, Sudan, Chad, Niger, Algeria, Tunisia

Natural resources

Petroleum, Natural gas, Groundwater, Gypsum, Limestone, Rock salt, Solar energy, Wind power, Silica sand, Iron ore, Manganese, Phosphate rock, Marble, Arid agricultural zones

Politics

Government: Republic under provisional unified government

Economy

Currency: Libyan Dinar (LYD)

GDP (nominal): 46.3 billion USD (2023)

GDP (PPP): 168.1 billion International dollars (2023)

Language & timezone

Primary languages: Arabic

Time zone: Eastern European Time

Culture & customs

Ethnic groups

Arabs, Berbers, Tuareg, Toubou, Saharan Blacks

Life expectancy

73.5 years

Literacy rate

91%

National sports

Football, Futsal, Basketball, Volleyball, Handball