Libya

Circa 10,000 BCE – First human settlements in the Libyan desert (rock art, hunting groups)

Circa 600 BCE – Foundation of Cyrene by Greek colonists

146 BCE – Rome conquers Carthage and Libya becomes part of Roman Empire

643 CE – Islamic conquest of Libya by the Rashidun Caliphate

1551 (October 10, Thursday) – Ottoman conquest of Tripoli

1911 (October 29, Saturday) – Italo-Turkish War begins, Italy takes control of Libya

1951 (December 24, Monday) – Independence from Italy; Kingdom of Libya established

1969 (September 1, Monday) – Muammar Gaddafi seizes power in a military coup

2011 (February 17, Thursday) – Libyan Civil War begins against Gaddafi’s regime

August 20, 2011 (Saturday) – Tripoli falls to rebel forces

October 20, 2011 (Thursday) – Muammar Gaddafi is killed by rebel forces

December 17, 2015 (Thursday) – Libyan Political Agreement signed, establishing Government of National Unity

January 28, 2020 (Tuesday) – Tropical storm causes flooding and damage in the coastal regions

April 3, 2020 (Friday) – COVID-19 lockdown initiated as cases rise

September 3, 2021 (Friday) – Major flooding in eastern Libya due to heavy rains

February 13, 2022 (Sunday) – Libyan oil workers strike disrupts oil production

December 2023 (Monday) – Peace agreement signed, marking a step towards stability

January 15, 2024 (Monday) – Cyclone causes coastal damages in the Mediterranean region

Continent: Africa
Location: North Africa, Mediterranean coast
Capital: Tripoli
Language: Arabic (official), Libyan Arabic, Berber, Italian (widely spoken)
Currency: Libyan Dinar (LYD)
Population: ~7.1 million (last updated: April 2025)
Time Zone: Eastern European Time (EET, UTC+2)*

Borders: Egypt, Sudan, Chad, Niger, Algeria, Tunisia, Mediterranean Sea
Landscape: Desert, coastal plains, mountain ranges, oases
Major Rivers: Wadi Shati, Wadi al-Hayat, Wadi al-Rafsa
Major Mountains: Tibesti Mountains, Nafusa Mountains, Akakus Mountains
Deserts: Sahara Desert
Lakes: Lake Sabkhat Ghuzayyil (saltwater), Bir al-Ghanam Lake
Volcanoes: None
Highest Point: Bikku Bitti – 2,267 m (7,438 ft)
Lowest Point: Qattara Depression – 133 m below sea level
Climate: Desert, Mediterranean along coast, hot and dry summers, mild winters
Geological Features: Extensive desert landscapes, limestone plateaus, salt flats, volcanic rock formations in the Tibesti Mountains

Ethnic Groups: Arab (approximately 97%), Berber, Tuareg, and other ethnicities
Religion: Islam (Sunni majority, with small minority of Shia Muslims)
Urban Population: ~77% (last updated: 2023)
Aging Population: ~5.7% aged 65+ (last updated: 2024)

Famous For: Ancient Roman ruins, Sahara Desert, oil reserves
Cuisine: Couscous, tagine, lamb, rice, seafood
Arts: Traditional music, calligraphy, architecture (Roman ruins, Islamic art)
Sports: Football, athletics, handball, motorsports (Formula 1, rally races)

Economy Type: Oil-based, mixed economy
GDP: Approx. $60 billion USD (last updated: 2024)
Major Industries: Petroleum, natural gas, construction, manufacturing
Key Exports: Crude oil, refined petroleum, natural gas, chemicals
Unemployment Rate: ~19.5% (last updated: 2024)
Economic Regions: Coastal oil fields, inland agricultural regions, petroleum export infrastructure

Government Type: Transitional government, with shifting factions
Head of State: Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh (as of April 2025)
Head of Government: Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh (as of April 2025)
Legislature: Unicameral (House of Representatives)
Constitution: No constitution; in transition since 2011 (post-Gaddafi era)

Tripoli: Old city, Red Castle, Roman Arch of Marcus Aurelius
Sabratha: Roman ruins, theater, ancient mosaics
Leptis Magna: UNESCO World Heritage site, Roman ruins, amphitheater
Ghadames: Ancient desert town, traditional mud architecture
Sahara Desert: Dunes, oases, camel treks, archaeological sites
Cyrene: Ancient Greek ruins, Temple of Apollo