Libya – Oil Country of Africa
Libya is a country in North Africa. It borders Tunisia, Algeria, Niger, Chad, Sudan, and Egypt. Its area is 1,759,540 square kilometers. Its official name is Great Socialist People’s Libyan Arab Jamahiriya.
The oil was discovered in the desert in 1959 and Libya became one of the richest countries in North Africa. Some of the largest petroleum deposits in the world are in Libya.
Libya has three main regions: the Sahara, Tripolitania, and Cyrenaica. The desert land of the Sahara is one of the driest places on Earth. There are some oases in the desert. Most Libyans live in Tripolitania, in the northwest. In Cyrenaica the Akhdar Mountains and some oases are the main features.
There is Great Man-Made River in the country. People mine some underground water in the desert and pipe it to the coastal cities.
In the 100s BC ancient Romans made the region part of their empire. The Turkish Ottoman Empire conquered the region in the early 1500s. In 1911 Italy invaded Libya. During World War II Italy lost control of Libya.
Libya became an independent country in 1951 and was ruled by a king. In 1969 Muammar al-Qaddafi took control of the country. In 1977 he changed the name of the country to the Socialist People’s Libyan Arab Jamahiriya.
Most of Libya’s people are Arabs. There are small groups of other Africans, Italians, Greeks, and other peoples.
Arabic is the main language. Most Libyans are Muslims.
Tripoli is the capital city of Libya. It is the nation’s largest city and chief seaport. In ancient times the city was called Oea and was founded by the Phoenicians more than 2,500 years ago. The most prominent structure is the Red Castle, a huge Spanish-style castle from the 1500s.
Interesting facts
– Soccer is very popular in Libya. In 2002 Tripoli hosted the Italian Supercup.
– Bjkks Bjttj (Bette Peak) is the highest point (2,267 m).
– Sabkhat Ghuzayyil is the lowest point 47 m below sea level.
– There are some small seasonal lakes. Ramlet Dawada (Lakes in the Desert) is situated in the Libyan Sahara.
– There are no railways in Libya. Cars are the main transport.
Photos from mirvkartinkah.ru
Libya – Oil Country of Africa

Arch of Septimius Severus. Erected in honor of the twentieth Roman emperor Septimius Severus, who was born in Leptis