Libya - Líbia

Until recently a very difficult country to enter, the Libya[1] is slowly opening up to tourism. With world-renowned Roman ruins, spectacular desert landscapes, numerous mountains and castles, Libya is a country not to be missed.

Understand

History

Ancient history

There is archaeological evidence that the country was already inhabited in 8000 BC; the coastal plain was inhabited by a Neolithic people, the Berbers. Later, the area now known as Libya was occupied by a wide variety of other peoples, such as the Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Greeks, Persians, Romans, Vandals, Arabs, Turks or Byzantines who ruled all over the world. part of the area.

Italian colonial era

From 1912 to 1927, the country's territory was known as Italian North Africa. From 1927 to 1934, the territory was divided into two colonies, Cyrenaica Italiana and Italian Tripolitania, ruled by Italians. During the colonial period, between 20% and 50% of the country's population died in the struggle for independence, and around 150,000 Italians settled in Libya, making up about a fifth of the population.

In 1934, Italy adopted the name "Libya" (used by the Greeks to designate all of North Africa, except Egypt) as the official name of the colony (made up of three provinces, Cyrenaica, Tripolitania and Fezan). King Idris I, Emir of Cyrenaica, led the Libyan resistance against the Italians between the two world wars. From 1943 to 1951, Tripolitania and Cyrenaica were under British administration, while the French controlled Fezã. In 1944, Idris returned from exile in Cairo, but refused to stay in Cyrenacia until some aspects of foreign control were removed in 1947. Under the 1947 peace treaty with the Allies, Italy renounced any claims to government of the country.

the modern era

On September 1, 1969, a small group of military officers led by Muammar Abu Minyar al-Gaddafi staged a coup d'état against King Idris. At that time, Idris was in the Turkey receiving medical treatment. His nephew, Prince Sayyid Hasan ar-Rida al-Mahdi as-Sanussi, became king. The group of officers who revolted took over the Libyan military barracks and the radio station. Before the end of September 1, Sayyid Hasan ar-Rida had been formally deposed by military officers and was placed under house arrest. Meanwhile, officials abolished the monarchy and proclaimed the new Libyan Arab Republic. They referred to, and do refer to, Gaddafi as "Brother Leader and Guide of the Revolution" in government statements and in the official press.

Climate

Along the coast, the climate is Mediterranean, but inland is the very dry Sahara desert, from which sometimes blows a hot, dry, dust-laden sirocco (known in the country as ghibli). In the desert, dust or sand storms are also common.

Regions

Cyrenaica (Benghazi, Shahhat, Tobruk) The northeast region, on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea

Libya Saharan (Gadames, sabha, ghat) The huge desert in the south of the country, with fantastic scenery and some of the highest temperatures ever recorded in the country.

tripolitania (Tripoli, gharyan, Misrata, Surt) The northeast region, on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, with the capital and ancient Roman ruins.

Cities

• Tripoli - Libya's capital, largest city, main port and largest commercial and industrial center, located in the northwest of the country, on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. The city has a population of 1.68 million people.
• Benghazi - Libya's second largest city, with 647,000 people and some of the most fantastic beaches in the country. It is a reference point for visiting some of the most visited tourist destinations in the country, such as Montanha Verde.
• gharyan - Gharyan is located in the Nafousa Mountains, about 100 km south of the capital. It is famous for the caves of troglodytes, which attract many tourists. Excavated vertically into the stony ground, they are very well hidden and are almost invisible.
• Gadames - A quiet old town, with winding streets lined with white-painted houses, which are very fresh, although a little dark. The old part of the city was declared UNESCO World Heritage.
• Misrata - It is one of the most beautiful Libyan cities and one of the main commercial centers in the country, located on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, with wonderful golden sand beaches and huge desert dunes near the city.
• sabha - Former capital of the Fezã region, Sebha has a completely deserted old town. Exploring the ruined streets and houses takes us back in time, making us wonder what life was like before they invented air conditioning.
• Shahhat - Much visited because of the ruins of the ancient Greek city of Cyrene, one of the largest and most beautiful archaeological sites in the Green Mountains region. Considered one of the most beautiful Greek cities in the world, it is UNESCO World Heritage.
• Surt - Homeland of the Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi, it has an unusual concentration of government buildings, which are very important at the national level. It is located in the southern part of the Gulf of Sidra.
• Tobruk - One of the most beautiful ports in the country, in Cyrenaica, along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. In the city itself, but also in its surroundings, remnants of the Second World War can still be seen.

Other destinations

• Leptis Magna, Close of Al-Khums - The huge Roman ruins of one of the greatest cities in the ancient world. It is one of the most important Roman ruins in the world, and one of the best preserved.
• Nalut - Berber architecture in an ancient village on top of Jebel Nafusa. A wonderful ksar about halfway between Tripoli and Gadames, with a wonderful 14th century mosque and houses built in the Berber style.
• Sabratha - An ancient Roman city near Tripoli, with one of the most beautiful Roman theaters in the world. In addition to these theaters, it has several temples, a Christian basilica and beautifully preserved mosaics.
• Wawan Namus - A huge extinct volcano with multicolored lakes and surrounded by black sand in the heart of the Sahara Desert, one of the most remote regions in the country. It is known as the 8th Wonder of the World.
• Ubari lakes - 11 lakes in the Sahara desert, surrounded by palm trees and dunes. Often compared to the Dead Sea of Israel due to the salt levels, they are surrounded by ruins of old villages.
• Tadrart Acacus, Close of ghat - The land of the Tuareg, with magnificent landscapes and rock art. Its rock formations make it one of the most beautiful sites in the country, and cave paintings make it one of the most important archaeological sites in the world.
• Idehan Murzuq, about 250 km from sabha - A remote part of the desert, with fantastic moving landscapes. It is a place of breathtaking natural beauty, with some of the most fantastic dunes in the Sahara.
• Wadi Mathkendoush - An open-air gallery in the middle of the desert, with rock engravings over 12 000 years old. Known for its splendid engravings depicting, among other things, cattle, it is located in one of the most remote parts of the country.
• Cyrene, Close of Shahhat - The ruins of the most sophisticated and extravagant Greek city. World Heritage, It is one of the largest and most beautiful archaeological sites in the Green Mountains region.
• Tolmeita, Close of Benghazi - An ancient Greek coastal town with exceptional mosaics in its museum. Also known as Ptolemais, it was a busy commercial center in the 6th century BC.
• Jebel al-Uweinat - A remote mountain range with spectacular desert landscape, cave paintings and desert fauna. It has fantastic rock formations and amazing desert landscapes.
• Qasr Libya, Close of Benghazi - Qasr Libya (Libyan Castle) is an ancient city formerly known as Olbia. In its time it was a small town, but it is still impressive; it has the best preserved mosaics in the country.
• green mountain (Jebel el-Akhdar) - Named for its coverage of cypresses, pine trees and juniper trees, it is a limestone plateau whose maximum altitude is 900 meters.

To arrive

To enter the country, passports and visas are required for all nationalities except nationals. Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Mauritania, Morocco, Syria, Tunisia and Turkey. Anyone who has a passport indicating travel to Israel will not be able to enter. You can get a visa at the nearest embassy or consulate:

• Brazil
  • Libyan Embassy, SHIS QI 15, Chácara 26, Brasília DF - Tel.: 3248-6710, 3248-6716, and 3248-302; fax: 3248-0598; [email protected]
• Portugal
  • Libyan Embassy, Av. das Descobertas, 24, Lisbon - Tel.: 213016301 / 2 / 3; fax: 213012378

By airplane

Tripoli is served by most major European and Arab airlines and by the national airline, Libyan Airlines [2], which uses this airport as its main center of operation. There are daily flights to/from the main European international airports, such as Heathrow (London), Charles de Gaulle (Paris), Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Pomegranate and several weekly flights to/from Milan, Manchester, Vienna, Alexandria, etc.

A new Libyan private company, Afriqiyah [3], carries out daily flights to many European cities (Brussels, Paris, Amsterdam and London) and African, with Tripoli as the main center of operation.

Another private company, Buraq Air, operates domestic flights as well as some flights to international destinations, including Istanbul and Aleppo.

There are also some international flights from Benghazi, for destinations like Alexandria and Cairo (and in the future London and Casablanca). These tend to be rarer and times vary, so check ahead.

Of boat

By car

By bus/bus

By train/train

Libya does not have any train lines.

Circular

By airplane

Of boat

By car

By bus/bus

By train/train

Speak

Buy

Look

Knife

With the

drink and go out

sleep

Learn

Work

Safety

Libya is a safe country from assaults, thefts, robberies and kidnappings. The people are very friendly, always willing to give information. The only problem is the language, as most of the population only speaks Arabic. Even in hotels, communication becomes difficult. To visit Leptis Magna and Sabratha, it is recommended to rent a van for a whole day. The price? It will depend on your negotiation with the driver. Each will make a price, until you decide on one.

Still talking about security, if you ask the price of something, don't ask if there is a cash discount if you don't intend to buy, because once this type of conversation starts, it is considered an insult not to close the deal. Whenever an Arab starts a negotiation, it will have to end up closed.

For men, it is advisable not to wear shorts in public places, as in the Muslim religion, men only wear pants. Not that this will bring hostile acts, but the population will look at you in a "different" way.

Health

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