"omran's new Tripoli Page" a Tripoli Travel Page by omran

hi ..... Tripoli is an ancient city. It was one of the main four phoenician cities in North Africa. The other three are Karthag, Sabrata and Liptes. In 24 BC it was invaded by the Garamants who came from the South of Libya. At the begining of the third century it got the name "Tripolitanos" which means the three cities, i.e. Sabrata, Ouia and Liptes.
The arabic name of Tripoltanos is Tarablus or Atrablis or Tarabols and it got that name after the Arabs conquer it 22 Hijri (621 AC). Some historians gave Tripoli the name "The White City" because its buildings were painted white. In July 1535 it was invaded by the Spanyards.
In August 1551 the Turks defeated the Spanyards and started the Ottoman rule of the region.The turks named Tripoli "Tarablus al Gharb" or "Tripoli-West" since they already had another Tripoli in Lebanon.
In 1911 the Italians invaded Libya and started their era in which Libya lost more than half its population dut to resistance, hunger and concentration camps. During World War II the Allied forces bombed Tripoli in: December 29, 1940
March 10, 1941, March 11, March 16, March 17, March 24, March 25, March 28 and March 29, 1941 and May 4, 1941.
After Libya's independance in December 24, 1951 Tripoli started a new era. Tripoli is a very beautiful city and it got another name "Arous Albahr Almotawasit" or "The Jewel of the Mediterranean".


******* Climate ******

The coastal region has a Mediterranean climate, with average temperatures in Tripoli ranging from 30°C (86°F) in summer to 8°C (46°F).

Rainfall is mostly during the winter months and averages 380mm (15 inches) annually. Coastal towns can be humid, with levels as high as 80% in Tripolitania.

The mountain regions experience more rainfall, particularly during the winter and early spring. Summers here are cooler than on the coastal plain.

Southern Libya has a desert climate with daytime winter temperatures ranging between 15 and 20°C, falling below zero at night. During the summer months there is virtually no rainfall and temperatures soar to over 50°C.

In the north-west a scorching wind, known as the ghibli, blows from the Sahara along the coast at the time of the spring solstice. This causes a sharp drop in humidity and a dramatic rise in temperature.

Holidays & festivals *****

As an Islamic country, Libya observes all the main Muslim festivals, with some additional national holidays.

Friday is the official day of rest.

Libyan national holidays are detailed below:



March 2nd: Declaration of the People's Authority


June 11th: Evacuation of foreign military bases


September 1st: Anniversary of the Revolution of 1969
Hours of business in private offices are from 7am to 2pm in summer, and from 8am to 1pm in winter. Evening office hours are from 4pm to 6.30pm throughout the year. Shopping hours are from 9am to 2pm and in the evening from 4.30pm to 8.30pm. Government offices and banks operate from 8am to 2pm.