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Libya’s Mediterranean coast is like a green belt. 90 percent of the people live here as farmers. The gigantic “rest” of the country is a desert and almost empty save a few inhabitants. Over the centuries the only human settlements which are still inhabited are in the oasis of Kufra, Sabha or Murzuk. Leptis Magna (Labdah) is a dead town at the coast.
During the times of the Roman Empire the town was powerful and one of the cities of ancient Tripolitans. Today, Leptis Magna is the most beautiful and most intact excavation site of the Roman Empire. A ride to Wau en Namus, a volcano at the northern edge of the Tibesti Mountains is certainly worth a visit. The spectacular oasis developed about 800 years ago after a powerful eruption. The lakes within the crater are one of a kind. They shine in red, blue and green in contrast to the black color of the crater. Sabha (Sebha) is Libya’s largest town. It is a conglomerate of several oases and has a history of more than 800 years. Today it is propped with modern things.
Thanks to the Libyan leader Ghaddafi his hometown is being supported time and again. The engravings in the rocks at the Mathendous Wadi have become famous throughout the world. The Wadi opens up in the middle of a flat and deserted Hammada. Its hidden rock engravings are approximately 10,000 years old and are therefore considered one of the oldest art projects in the world. They tell about a different life in the Sahara; about blossoming landscapes with giraffes, rhinos, cattle, humans and crocodiles.
Spectacular witnesses from a different time can also be found in the Akakus Mountains. These ones are drawings. Livelier than these two deserted places is the town of Ghat, a Tuareg oasis near the Algerian border. For more than 2000 years it is a trading place for caravans. The old part of town is almost uninhabited nowadays. Many Tuareg try to make a living as guides.
Libya’s road network is well extended in the inhabited parts of the country. Most important road is Litoranea (1822 km), leading along the coast. The tarred roads in the northern and central part of the Sahara are well maintained. They lead to the oil producing fields in the interior of the country. Traditional dishes in Libya are Couscous with chicken or lamb meat and vegetables; as well as Ruuz (a rice dish with different spices, meat and vegetables). It is a custom to eat with the right hand. Guests are usually permitted to use silverware.
Some geography:
Socialist People’s Libyan Arab jamahiriya stretches over an area of 1.8 million square kilometers and has approximately 5.6 million inhabitants. Most of them are Arabs, Arabic Berber, Tuareg and Tubu. Additionally, an estimated 1.2 million foreign workers also live here.
They try their luck in this for African standards rich country. Language of the country is Arabic. Predominant religion is the Islam (Sunnites). Libyans celebrate their national holiday on September 1st. It is the day of the revolution in 1969. Jamahiriya means government by the people.
Black & white:
Women please notice: Only wear decent clothing; especially when visiting mosques. But also inhabitants of small villages quickly feel provoked by provocative clothing.
It is more polite to accept the customs of the country even if one sweats easily in the heat. Before taking pictures of people one should ask for permission. It is better to show no interest in public facilities and military buildings. |
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