Libya                      

• Country name: Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya          

• Area: 1,759,540 sq km (679,360 sq mi)

• Population: 5.7 million

• Capital city: Tripoli (pop 1.7 million)

• People: Arab (92%), Berbers (5%), plus Tuareg, Toubou, Black Africans and some Europeans - mostly Italians

• Language: Arabic, Italian, English

• Religion: Sunni Muslim (95%), Christianity (5%)

• Government: Jamahiriya, or 'state of the masses', ( governed by the people)

• Chief of State: Colonel Mu'ammar Al Gaddafi

• GDP: US$45.4 billion

• GDP per head: US$8900

• Annual growth: 6.5%

• Inflation: 18.5%

• Major industries: petroleum, food processing, textiles, handicrafts, cement

• Major trading partners: Italy, Germany, Spain, France, Turkey, Tunisia  

Libya is characterized among other countries by enormous unmatchable wealth buried in its lands. Its enough to say that complete archeological cities with their streets , swimming pools , theatres, worship places, bathhouses, and other life premises are still standing supercilious on its lands , defying time and emphasizing its peoples participation in humanitarian civilization all over history, long time ago. This enormous civilization heritage emphasizes the man’s power since a long time , development and search for better means of life and making life. This indefinite magnificence legacy is not only due or limited to Sabratah city for its strong unmatchable theatre where many artistic festival performed, nor for Leptis Magna for its pillars, streets, and aredes or even its theatre absorbing, over five thousand spectators, established on a spacious plot of land surrounded with beautiful farness and luxurious rest places, nor to cyrenia in the eastern part of Jamahiriya which played an important role in Libya’s history for it’s strategically position. This magnificence is not only due to the many tourist sites all over Jamahiriya, but also due to various antiquities in museums through the country with precious and valuable items of significant historical value . This precious and valuable anti-progress and scientific research related to ancient people. It is very obvious that this marvelous heritage attracts the attention of the world who come from all parts of the universe to visit them ..

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THE LIBYAN SAHARA

 LAKES REGION.

In desert tours we bring you to visit the most charming lakes in the world which the Great Sahara is famous for, Mandara, Gaberown and Aum Alma are lakes of different areas and depth lying between the sand dunes surrounded by palm trees where the camping near one of them watching sky stars in moony nights will bring you to the dreams you only can describe. ( Photo of Gabroun Lake ).

AKAKUS MOUNTAINS

Its an open museum of the desert which you start traveling around from Ghat the capital of the Toaurig , it will be also your guide during this visit to see the pre-historical man stone engravings and its remnants, while three days is the shortest tour by 4x4 car to cover the important sights in this area in the deep south west of Libya.                                                                                           Prehistoric Rock Engravings at Wadi Mathendous

 Eight thousand years ago, the Sahara was nothing like the scorched desert of today. Back then, it was a lush savannah, inhabited by rhinos, crocodiles, bovids, ostriches, giraffes and hunter-gatherers who lived comfortably off the land. You'll find documentary evidence of this idyllic pastoral existence at Wadi Mathendous, half a day's drive from the Sebha-Ghat road by 70 miles of sandy tracks from the far side of the Messak Settafet escarpment. Here a low cliff on the north bank of a dry creek bed hosts a gallery depicting hundreds of prehistoric engravings of animals, birds and arcane symbols. The carvings are beautifully and skillfully executed and must have taken months to carve without  the aid of metal tools. Half the fun of the place is scrambling over the rocks in search of less obvious petroglyphs. It's a peaceful spot and a nice place to camp.

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Tips to know once you are in Libya . 

 What to bring along Take out Medical Insurance, also take a letter from your doctor if you have any major disease or special care you need. If you take medications, it is advised that you bring a good supply ,bring the basic medications (i.e. Diarrhea, Headache,)

Bring a spare of Glasses, if you use them. If you find a good Arabic phrases book. Libyans like when tourists try to speak their language. Bring your sunglasses and a good hat.

A camera. Please check with your escort when you are in the cities and remember people DO not like to be photographed without their permission.

Spoken LanguagesArabic is the official language in Libya, English and Italian languages are widely spoken in hotels, shops and traditional markets . French is also spoken, but mainly in southern regions.

Money Exchange  Libya does not accept credit cards, and travellers' cheques are all but impossible to cash. Carrying cash is the only realistic option, and the favored currency is the US dollar. Pounds sterling and euro are also acceptable. The main banks and larger hotels provide money-changing facilities; their rates are virtually identical.

Contrary to practices in the rest of North Africa, haggling over prices in the souqs is a no no. Tipping is not expected, though a service charge is sometimes added to hotel and restaurant bills. 

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What to EAT & DRINK

' Couscous ' is the main local dish in Libya, it consists of steamed wheat semolina serves with mutton or lamb, vegetables and spicy sauce. There is another traditional, which are pasta and huge dumpling called ' Bazen ' serviced with a hot sauce, for eating with your fingers as local style lunch.

Whilst, red & green tea with mint is the national beverage. In addition a wide choice of foreign dishes from . European kitchens, to Chinese kitchen .including sea food. Tourist also can find their favorite dishes in the American style fast-food restaurants .

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