"Socialist People’s Libyan Arab... " a Libya Travel Page by grets

The full name of this North African Country is Socialist People’s Libyan Arab Jamahiriyah. It is the fourth largest country in Africa and includes the former Italian colonies of Tripolitania, Cyrenaica and Fezzan. Libya is bordered to the north by the Mediterranean Sea, Tunisia to the northwest, Algeria to the west, Chad and Niger to the south, Sudan to the south east and Egypt to the east. There are approximately five million inhabitants in Libya.

Most of Libya is desert or barren rocky plains devoid of vegetation with the majority of the country receiving little or no rainfall. The main resource found in the country is petroleum, although some production of salt, natural gas, potash, matron and limestone also takes place. Wildlife includes various desert rodents, wild cats, gazelles and hyenas, while fauna comprises mainly olive and date palms plus some orange trees in the oasis.

The people of Libya are mostly Arabs and Berbers, although ex-pat workers make up around 17% of the population. Many people still live a nomadic life style, with 87% of the population resides in urban areas.

The state religion of Libya is Islam, with 97% being of the Sunni Muslim faith. Arabic is the official language in the cities, but many urban dwellers still converse in Berber. Education and medical care is free in Libya.

Our itinerary took us from the start in Tripoli, to Sabratha and further south to Qasr al Hajj. Returning to Tripoli after exploring a few Berber villages in the area, we flew to Benghazi. From there we went to Ptolemais and Qasr Libya, continuing onwards to Al Bayda. Next was a visit to the great cities of Cyrene and Appllonia before returning to Nebghazi and flying back to Tripoli. Spending a full day exploring Leptis Magna and Villa Selin, we spent the last day in Triploi.

An action packed and intense tour.