Libya, Travellers information
Region / Country specific information - Libya
Introduction Geography People Government Economy Communications Transportation Military Transnational Issues
| Libya | Introduction | Top of Page |
| Background: | Since he took power in a 1969 military coup, Col. Muammar Abu Minyar al-QADHAFI has espoused his own political system - a combination of socialism and Islam - which he calls the Third International Theory. Viewing himself as a revolutionary leader, he used oil funds during the 1970s and 1980s to promote his ideology outside Libya, even supporting subversives and terrorists abroad to hasten the end of Marxism and capitalism. Libyan military adventures failed, e.g., the prolonged foray of Libyan troops into the Aozou Strip in northern Chad was finally repulsed in 1987. Libyan support for terrorism decreased after UN sanctions were imposed in 1992. Those sanctions were suspended in April 1999. |
| Libya | Geography | Top of Page |
| Location: | Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Egypt and Tunisia |
| Geographic coordinates: | 25 00 N, 17 00 E |
| Map references: | Africa |
| Area: | total: 1,759,540 sq km
land: 1,759,540 sq km water: 0 sq km |
| Area - comparative: | slightly larger than Alaska |
| Land boundaries: | total: 4,383 km
border countries: Algeria 982 km, Chad 1,055 km, Egypt 1,150 km, Niger 354 km, Sudan 383 km, Tunisia 459 km |
| Coastline: | 1,770 km |
| Maritime claims: | territorial sea: 12 NM
note: Gulf of Sidra closing line - 32 degrees, 30 minutes north |
| Climate: | Mediterranean along coast; dry, extreme desert interior |
| Terrain: | mostly barren, flat to undulating plains, plateaus, depressions |
| Elevation extremes: | lowest point: Sabkhat Ghuzayyil -47 m
highest point: Bikku Bitti 2,267 m |
| Natural resources: | petroleum, natural gas, gypsum |
| Land use: | arable land: 1%
permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 8% forests and woodland: 0% other: 91% (1993 est.) |
| Irrigated land: | 4,700 sq km (1993 est.) |
| Natural hazards: | hot, dry, dust-laden ghibli is a southern wind lasting one to four days in spring and fall; dust storms, sandstorms |
| Environment - current issues: | desertification; very limited natural fresh water resources; the Great Manmade River Project, the largest water development scheme in the world, is being built to bring water from large aquifers under the Sahara to coastal cities |
| Environment - international agreements: | party to: Climate Change, Desertification, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Biodiversity, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban |
| Libya | People | Top of Page |
| Population: | 5,240,599
note: includes 662,669 non-nationals, of which an estimated 500,000 or more are Africans living in Libya (July 2001 est.) |
| Age structure: | 0-14 years: 35.41% (male 947,645; female 907,854)
15-64 years: 60.64% (male 1,645,085; female 1,533,066) 65 years and over: 3.95% (male 101,701; female 105,248) (2001 est.) |
| Population growth rate: | 2.42% (2001 est.) |
| Birth rate: | 27.67 births/1,000 population (2001 est.) |
| Death rate: | 3.51 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.) |
| Net migration rate: | 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) |
| Sex ratio: | at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.97 male(s)/female total population: 1.06 male(s)/female (2001 est.) |
| Infant mortality rate: | 28.99 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) |
| Life expectancy at birth: | total population: 75.65 years
male: 73.53 years female: 77.88 years (2001 est.) |
| Total fertility rate: | 3.64 children born/woman (2001 est.) |
| HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: | 0.05% (1999 est.) |
| HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: | NA |
| HIV/AIDS - deaths: | NA |
| Nationality: | noun: Libyan(s)
adjective: Libyan |
| Ethnic groups: | Berber and Arab 97%, Greeks, Maltese, Italians, Egyptians, Pakistanis, Turks, Indians, Tunisians |
| Religions: | Sunni Muslim 97% |
| Languages: | Arabic, Italian, English, all are widely understood in the major cities |
| Literacy: | definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 76.2% male: 87.9% female: 63% (1995 est.) |
| Libya | Government | Top of Page |
| Country name: | conventional long form: Great Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya
conventional short form: Libya local long form: Al Jumahiriyah al Arabiyah al Libiyah ash Shabiyah al Ishtirakiyah al Uzma local short form: none |
| Government type: | Jamahiriya (a state of the masses) in theory, governed by the populace through local councils; in fact, a military dictatorship |
| Capital: | Tripoli |
| Administrative divisions: | 25 municipalities (baladiyat, singular - baladiyah); Ajdabiya, Al 'Aziziyah, Al Fatih, Al Jabal al Akhdar, Al Jufrah, Al Khums, Al Kufrah, An Nuqat al Khams, Ash Shati', Awbari, Az Zawiyah, Banghazi, Darnah, Ghadamis, Gharyan, Misratah, Murzuq, Sabha, Sawfajjin, Surt, Tarabulus, Tarhunah, Tubruq, Yafran, Zlitan; note - the 25 municipalities may have been replaced by 13 regions |
| Independence: | 24 December 1951 (from Italy) |
| National holiday: | Revolution Day, 1 September (1969) |
| Constitution: | 11 December 1969, amended 2 March 1977 |
| Legal system: | based on Italian civil law system and Islamic law; separate religious courts; no constitutional provision for judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction |
| Suffrage: | 18 years of age; universal and compulsory |
| Executive branch: | chief of state: Revolutionary Leader Col. Muammar Abu Minyar al-QADHAFI (since 1 September 1969); note - holds no official title, but is de facto chief of state
head of government: Secretary of the General People's Committee (Premier) Mubarak al-SHAMEKH (since 2 March 2000) cabinet: General People's Committee established by the General People's Congress elections: national elections are indirect through a hierarchy of people's committees; head of government elected by the General People's Congress; election last held 2 March 2000 (next to be held NA) election results: Mubarak al-SHAMEKH elected premier; percent of General People's Congress vote - NA% |
| Legislative branch: | unicameral General People's Congress (NA seats; members elected indirectly through a hierarchy of people's committees) |
| Judicial branch: | Supreme Court |
| Political parties and leaders: | none |
| Political pressure groups and leaders: | various Arab nationalist movements with almost negligible memberships may be functioning clandestinely, as well as some Islamic elements |
| International organization participation: | ABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, AMU, CAEU, CCC, ECA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, MONUC, NAM, OAPEC, OAU, OIC, OPEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO |
| Diplomatic representation in the US: | Libya does not have an embassy in the US |
| Diplomatic representation from the US: | the US suspended all embassy activities in Tripoli on 2 May 1980 |
| Flag description: | plain green; green is the traditional color of Islam (the state religion) |
| Libya | Economy | Top of Page |
| Economy - overview: | The socialist-oriented economy depends primarily upon revenues from the oil sector, which contributes practically all export earnings and about one-quarter of GDP. These oil revenues and a small population give Libya one of the highest per capita GDPs in Africa, but little of this income flows down to the lower orders of society. In this statist society, import restrictions and inefficient resource allocations have led to periodic shortages of basic goods and foodstuffs. The nonoil manufacturing and construction sectors, which account for about 20% of GDP, have expanded from processing mostly agricultural products to include the production of petrochemicals, iron, steel, and aluminum. Climatic conditions and poor soils severely limit agricultural output, and Libya imports about 75% of its food requirements. Higher oil prices in 1999 and 2000 led to an increase in export revenues, which improved macroeconomic balances and helped to stimulate the economy. Following the suspension of UN sanctions in 1999, Libya has been trying to increase its attractiveness to foreign investors, and several foreign companies have visited in search of contracts. |
| GDP: | purchasing power parity - $45.4 billion (2000 est.) |
| GDP - real growth rate: | 6.5% (2000 est.) |
| GDP - per capita: | purchasing power parity - $8,900 (2000 est.) |
| GDP - composition by sector: | agriculture: 7%
industry: 47% services: 46% (1997 est.) |
| Population below poverty line: | NA% |
| Household income or consumption by percentage share: | lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA% |
| Inflation rate (consumer prices): | 18.5% (2000 est.) |
| Labor force: | 1.5 million (2000 est.) |
| Labor force - by occupation: | services and government 54%, industry 29%, agriculture 17% (1997 est.) |
| Unemployment rate: | 30% (2000 est.) |
| Budget: | revenues: $6.85 billion
expenditures: $4.4 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000 est.) |
| Industries: | petroleum, food processing, textiles, handicrafts, cement |
| Industrial production growth rate: | NA% |
| Electricity - production: | 18.9 billion kWh (1999) |
| Electricity - production by source: | fossil fuel: 100%
hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1999) |
| Electricity - consumption: | 17.577 billion kWh (1999) |
| Electricity - exports: | 0 kWh (1999) |
| Electricity - imports: | 0 kWh (1999) |
| Agriculture - products: | wheat, barley, olives, dates, citrus, vegetables, peanuts, soybeans; cattle |
| Exports: | $13.9 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.) |
| Exports - commodities: | crude oil, refined petroleum products |
| Exports - partners: | Italy 33%, Germany 24%, Spain 10%, France 5%, Turkey 4%, Tunisia 4% (1999) |
| Imports: | $7.6 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.) |
| Imports - commodities: | machinery, transport equipment, food, manufactured goods |
| Imports - partners: | Italy 24%, Germany 12%, Tunisia 9%, UK 7%, France 6%, South Korea 5% (1999) |
| Debt - external: | $4.1 billion (2000 est.) |
| Economic aid - recipient: | $8.4 million (1995) |
| Currency: | Libyan dinar (LYD) |
| Currency code: | LYD |
| Exchange rates: | Libyan dinars per US dollar - 0.5101 (January 2001), 0.5081 (2000), 0.4616 (1999), 0.3785 (1998), 0.3891 (1997), 0.3651 (1996)
note: Libya currently has two rates for foreign trade; one for government operations and foreign companies and one for Libyan individuals (0.45 dinars per US dollar in December 1998) |
| Fiscal year: | calendar year |
| Libya | Communications | Top of Page |
| Telephones - main lines in use: | 380,000 (1996) |
| Telephones - mobile cellular: | NA |
| Telephone system: | general assessment: telecommunications system is being modernized; mobile cellular telephone system became operational in 1996
domestic: microwave radio relay, coaxial cable, cellular, tropospheric scatter, and a domestic satellite system with 14 earth stations international: satellite earth stations - 4 Intelsat, NA Arabsat, and NA Intersputnik; submarine cables to France and Italy; microwave radio relay to Tunisia and Egypt; tropospheric scatter to Greece; participant in Medarabtel (1999) |
| Radio broadcast stations: | AM 17, FM 4, shortwave 3 (1998) |
| Radios: | 1.35 million (1997) |
| Television broadcast stations: | 12 (plus one low-power repeater) (1998) |
| Televisions: | 730,000 (1997) |
| Internet country code: | .ly |
| Internet Service Providers (ISPs): | 1 (2000) |
| Internet users: | 7,500 (2000) |
| Libya | Transportation | Top of Page |
| Railways: | note: Libya has had no railroad in operation since 1965, all previous systems having been dismantled; current plans are to construct a 1.435-m standard gauge line from the Tunisian frontier to Tripoli and Misratah, then inland to Sabha, center of a mineral-rich area, but there has been little progress; other plans made jointly with Egypt would establish a rail line from As Sallum, Egypt, to Tobruk with completion originally set for mid-1994; Libya signed contracts with two private companies - Bahne of Egypt and Jez Sistemas Ferroviarios of Spain - in 1998 for the supply of crossings and pointwork (1001) |
| Highways: | total: 24,484 km
paved: 6,800 km unpaved: 17,684 km (1996) |
| Waterways: | none |
| Pipelines: | crude oil 4,383 km; petroleum products 443 km (includes liquefied petroleum gas or LPG 256 km); natural gas 1,947 km |
| Ports and harbors: | Al Khums, Banghazi, Darnah, Marsa al Burayqah, Misratah, Ra's Lanuf, Tobruk, Tripoli, Zuwarah |
| Merchant marine: | total: 28 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 399,725 GRT/654,843 DWT
ships by type: cargo 10, chemical tanker 1, liquefied gas 3, petroleum tanker 6, roll on/roll off 4, short-sea passenger 4 (2000 est.) |
| Airports: | 136 (2000 est.) |
| Airports - with paved runways: | total: 58
over 3,047 m: 23 2,438 to 3,047 m: 6 1,524 to 2,437 m: 22 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 2 (2000 est.) |
| Airports - with unpaved runways: | total: 78
over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 14 914 to 1,523 m: 40 under 914 m: 18 (2000 est.) |
| Libya | Military | Top of Page |
| Military branches: | Army, Navy, Air and Air Defense Command |
| Military manpower - military age: | 17 years of age |
| Military manpower - availability: | males age 15-49: 1,459,400 (2001 est.) |
| Military manpower - fit for military service: | males age 15-49: 866,012 (2001 est.) |
| Military manpower - reaching military age annually: | males: 61,694 (2001 est.) |
| Military expenditures - dollar figure: | $1.3 billion (FY99/00) |
| Military expenditures - percent of GDP: | 3.9% (FY99/00) |
| Libya | Transnational Issues | Top of Page |
| Disputes - international: | Libya claims about 19,400 sq km in northern Niger and also a part of southeastern Algeria |
From the CIA World Factbook
Global Rescue is the premier provider of medical, security and evacuation services worldwide and is the only company that will come to you, wherever you are, and evacuate you to your home hospital of choice.
Additionally, Global Rescue places no restrictions on country of citizenship - all nationalities are eligible to sign-up! Travel medical insurance is also available, currently the limit is 90 days. (TIP: For Evac insurance - Click Multiple Trips and 365 days to get year long insurance.)
Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.
Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.
Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes! NOTE: Travel medical insurance currently has a limit of 90 days.
Member login
Announcements
Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!
Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.
Are you an Overland Adventure Traveller?
Does the smell of spices wafting through the air make you think of Zanzibar, a cacophony of honking horns is Cairo, or a swirl of brilliantly patterned clothing Guatemala? Then this is the site for you!
Hosted by Grant and Susan Johnson, RTW 1987-1998
Next HU Events
ALL Dates subject to change.
2025 Confirmed Events:
- Virginia: April 24-27 2025
- Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
- Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
- CanWest: July 10-13 2025
- Switzerland: Date TBC
- Ecuador: Date TBC
- Romania: Date TBC
- Austria: Sept. 11-14
- California: September 18-21
- France: September 19-21 2025
- Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025
Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!
Questions about an event? Ask here
HU Achievable Dream is Online
and available now to stream on Vimeo!
ALL 15 chapters of the HU Achievable Dream Guide are available to download on Vimeo!
Binge watch over 18 hours of inspiring, informative and entertaining stories and tips from 150 travellers!
"a cross between entertaining stories, tech tips, and reference guide"
"A timeless introduction to Motorcycle Adventure Travel!"
Originally launched as a 7 DVD set, The Achievable Dream series can now be downloaded anywhere. OVER 18 hours of solid info take up zero space in your panniers. How convenient!
Books
All the best travel books and videos listed and often reviewed on HU's famous Books page. Check it out and get great travel books from all over the world.
NOTE: As an Amazon Affiliate we earn from qualifying purchases - thanks for your help supporting HU when you start from an HU Amazon link!