Libya
Pictures
Ruins at Leptis Magna, Libya ©
Fast Facts
- 1.76 million square kilometres, over seven times bigger than the UK
- 5.9 million people, with an average life expectancy of 76 years
- Official language is Arabic; some indigenous languages
- 7.4% of the population lives below the local poverty line
- 3.5% are internet users, and just under 4% own a mobile phone
- 83,200km of roads, 57% of them paved
Lay of the land
Libya has a 2,000km coastline, well-preserved classical ruins, prehistoric rock art, and vast desert-scapes. Driving conditions are generally good, but deterioration of vehicles could be an issue. Sand deposits, as well as domestic and wild animals, make the highways and urban routes additionally hazardous.
And on the way...
Leptis Magna is one of the most intact Roman sites in the Mediterranean. Abandoned hundreds of years ago and reclaimed by the desert, it was not until the 1920s that Leptis was uncovered and archaeologists began the huge task of excavating these ancient costal ruins.
Other highlights
Tripoli - the capital of Libya, with an ancient medina and beautiful mosques.
Ras al Hilal - Libya's most dramatic stretch of coastline.
Benghazi - Libya's second city, trading centre and port, and a fierce rival of the capital Tripoli.
Tobruk - a port in north-eastern Libya where Allied forces were besieged by the Germans and Italians during World War Two.
The people
About 97 per cent of the people are of Berber and Arab descent, and most are settled in urban areas along the coast.
Did you know...
The Jamahiriya Museum in Tripoli houses one of the finest collections of classical art in the Mediterranean, as well as Colonel Gaddafi's blue Volkswagen Beetle.
Comments
Comments 1 - 7 of 7
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At 02:49:13 PM on 23/05/2007, Alistair Bond (Tripoli) wrote:
British School Tripoli
We appreciate how little time you have in the various places you visit and how many requests you must get en route, but you are more than welcome to visit us here at the British School of Tripoli. We would be delighted to host you and help you with guides, visas or accomodation. I have mentioned it to the Head Teacher as both he and I were big fans of your last trip, he is going to send you a separate message regarding UNICEF. The children and staff of our school would be delighted to help you in any way. Very best wishes, Alistair Bond Deputy Head British School Tripoli Libya
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At 03:03:29 PM on 01/06/2007, Cuan Meredith (Kanyemba, Zimbabwe) wrote:
Visit an amazing place
Hi there guys. Hope all is going well and you are enjoying the African heat. I know you are far from my home in Zimbabwe but i had a look at your route through zim and by the looks of things it takes you through our hunting concession, Dande South and Dande North. We own 4 of the camps in the Dande North area and i was wondering whether you would like to come and have a look at some of the most amazing sights of the Zambezi and luangwa confluence and the petrified forests that we are so privileged to have in our area. Listen i know you are miles away from zim but if you keep it in mind on your way through, the offer is there and im sure you have had many of its kind. Anyway, hope to here back from you and GOOD LUCK the team.
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At 09:59:01 PM on 01/06/2007, Roger Burgin (Germany) wrote:
Ubari Rock carvings
I worked in Libya for a couple of years. I remember seeing some amazing rock carvings in the wadis south of the town of Ubari.
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At 10:11:11 AM on 06/06/2007, Toby Savage (Leicester) wrote:
Leptis Magna
Hey. You guys are household names around here now and refered to in first name terms only, as if you were in the bar with us! I was in Leptis in 1999 and had the whole place to myself. It is awesome in both size and spectacle. With tourism, at last, opening up in Libya, hopefully more people will share it's splendour. Good luck crossing into Egypt overland. It took me 10 hours!! Big thanks to Jimmy and the crew for all the updates.
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At 11:05:37 AM on 09/06/2007, Cuan Meredith (Kanyemba, Zimbabwe) wrote:
Russ Russ Russ
This is just for you Russ, i have to cuss you about commenting on the fact that the sand would have got into the engine and your legend mechanic had to reassure you that the filter was there for a reason...Ewie and charlie, i hope this gives you a little bit of humour on how your leader is 'horsing' it badly... Good luck boys
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At 09:39:43 PM on 26/06/2007, Rhiannon Evans (Carlow) wrote:
British School
Hey Guys, I was a student in the British School and think that it would be amazing if you took a trip down there as I have now moved back to Ireland and would love to see my old school again. Have a fantastic trip its a wonderful country
At 02:42:03 PM on 23/05/2007, Iain Colledge (Tripoli) wrote:
Assistance from The British School Tripoli
Hi, I am the Head Teacher of The British School in Tripoli, Libya. My deputy just got in touch with you about offering any help or support for your trip. I would like to reiterate this and would like to offer you the chance to come visit us at school when you are on your way through Tripoli. We are also holding a charitable dinner dance in a few weeks and if you were able to provide us with some autographs we would love to donate the money raised to UNICEF on your behalf. We understand that the trip is about local culture and adventure, and that we may not necessarily offer that but we would love to be involved and help in anyway if it would benefit your trip.
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