Play national anthem
Search 'Libya'
Major cities
|
| Tripoli | 1.2 million |
| Benghazi | 660,000 |
| Misrata | 380,000 |
| Al-Khoms | 230,000 |
| Zawiya | 210,000 |
| Derna | 180,000 |
| Gharyan | 170,000 |
| Sirte | 170,0000 |
| Al-Bayda | 160,000 |
| Tobruk | 150,000 |
| Ajdabiyya | 150,000 |
| Sebha | 150,000 |
| Zliten | 140,000 |
| Al-Marj | 120,000 |
Important towns
|
| Brayqa | 45,000 |
| Ghadames | 20,000 |
| Ghat | 18,000 |
All figures are 2005 estimates.
|
| |
Status
|
Independent jamahirian republic, divided into 25 municipalities (baladiya(t)).
"Jamahiria" is a system defined to be the populace governing through local councils, then represented at national councils. However, most decisions are taken by the leaders of Libya, then implemented on a local scale.
Day of independence:
December 24, 1951 (from Italy)
| Government
|
Head of state: Mu'ammar Gadhafi.
Second-in-command: Abdussalam Jalloud.
Government is made up of 12 secretariats, corresponding to ministries.
| Geography
|
Inhabitants: 5.75 million (2005 estimate). 660,000 are non-nationals.
Population growth rate: 2.4%
Total area: 1,759,540 kmē
Density: 3 per kmē
Border: 4,348 km (Tunisia 459 km, Algeria 982 km, Niger 354 km, Chad 1,055 km, Sudan 383 km, Egypt 1,115 km).
Coastline: 1,770 km
Highest point: Bikku Bitti 2,267 m
Arable land: 1.03%
Capital: Tripoli
| Human Development Index
| World rank (of 177): 64
Index (1.0 max): 0.798
Explanation
| Demography
| Languages: Arabic (official), Berber. The major foreign languages are English and Italian.
Religions: Sunni Islam. Small communities of Christians.
| Economy
|
Currency: Dinar=pjasters (LYD)
1 dinar=US$0.81. US$1=1.24 dinars (September 2008)
|
|
