Libya

Table of Contents

Introduction & Quick Facts
Land
- Relief
- Drainage
- Soils
- Climate
- Plant and animal life
People
- Ethnic groups and languages
- Religion
- Settlement patterns
- Demographic trends
Economy
- Agriculture, forestry, and fishing
- Resources and power
- Manufacturing
- Finance and trade
- Services
- Labour
- Transportation and telecommunications
Government and society
- Constitutional framework
- Local government
- Justice
- Political process
- Security
- Health and welfare
- Housing
- Education
Cultural life
- Cultural milieu
- The arts
- Cultural institutions
- Sports and recreation
- Media and publishing
History
- Ottoman rule
- Italian colonization
- Independence
  - The discovery of oil
  - The Qaddafi regime
  - Revolt in 2011
    - Strong government response to protests
    - Emergence of the Transitional National Council in Benghazi
    - Stalemate, resurgence of the Qaddafi regime, and international intervention
    - Intensification of international efforts: NATO air strikes, diplomacy, and ICC warrants
    - Qaddafi toppled and killed
  - Postrevolutionary chaos
    - Establishment of the General National Congress
    - Competing governments in Tripoli and Tobruk
    - Attempt at unity: Government of National Accord
    - Fight for the National Oil Corporation and Central Bank
    - Tobruk government extends its reach south and west
    - Turkish intervention, retreat of Tobruk government, and renewed attempt at unity

References & Edit History Facts & Stats

Images

For Students

Libya summary

Libya

Also known as: Al-Jumhūriyyah al-Lībiyyah, The Libyan Republic

Written by Nevill Barbour, L. Carl Brown•All

Fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last Updated: Jan 20, 2025 • Article History

News •

Libya needs $3-4 billion to boost oil production, bidding round expected soon, oil minister says • Jan. 19, 2025, 5:13 AM ET (Reuters)

Sarkozy boasts about career and proclaims innocence at trial of Libyan campaign financing • Jan. 14, 2025, 9:13 PM ET (Le Monde)

Libya expels 600 Nigeriens in ‘dangerous and traumatising’ desert journey • Jan. 10, 2025, 3:58 AM ET (The Guardian)

France's former President Sarkozy stands trial over alleged campaign funding by Libya's Gadhafi • Jan. 6, 2025, 11:40 AM ET (AP)

Libya, country located in North Africa. Most of the country lies in the Sahara desert, and much of its population is concentrated along the coast and its immediate hinterland, where Tripoli (Ṭarābulus), the de facto capital, and Benghazi (Banghāzī), another major city, are located. Libya comprises three historical regions—Tripolitania in the northwest, Cyrenaica in the east, and Fezzan in the southwest. The Ottoman authorities recognized them as separate provinces. Under Italian rule, they were unified to form a single colony, which gave way to independent Libya. For much of Libya’s early history, both Tripolitania and Cyrenaica were more closely linked ...(100 of 11801 words)

Access the full article

Help support true facts by becoming a member.