Government
• The first inhabitants of Libya were Berber tribes. In the 7th century B.C. , Phoenicians colonized the eastern section of Libya, called Cyrenaica, and Greeks colonized the western portion, called Tripolitania
On 7 July 2012, Libyans voted in parliamentary elections , the first free elections in almost 40 years.Around thirty women were elected to become members of parliament
Facts about libya
• Most of Libya’s terrain consists of flat to undulating deserts
,with occasional plateaus an other rocky outcrops
• Benghazi
• The history of Libya’s second most important city dates back to the sixth century B.C. Benghazi is in the Cyrenaica region and has an interesting mix of Arabic, Italian , and Africa influences. • Libya’s oases with clean drinking water an lush vegetation are a welcomed resting place for travelers making their way across the harsh and dry deserts of Libya.
Libya’s largest cities and population averages 700000
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Religion
• About 97% of the population in Libya are Muslims , most of whom belong to the Sunni branch Small numbers of Ibadi
Muslims, Sufis and Ahmadis also live in the country .
• Before the 1930s, the Senussi Movement was the primary
Islamic movement in Libya. This was a religious revival adapted to desert life. Its zawaaya (lodges) were found in
Tripolitania and Fezzan, but Senussi influence was strongest in
Cyrenaica.
• Rescuing the region from unrest and anarchy, the Senussi movement gave the Cyrenaican tribal people a religious attachment and feelings of unity and purpose
Libya’s culture
• Libya is culturally similar to its neighboring Maghrebian states.
• Libyans consider themselves very much a part of a wider
Arab community.
• This is strengthened by Arabic being the only official language of the state.
• Under dictatorship the teaching of foreign languages previously taught in academic institutions was forbiddena long with even the use of the Berber language, leaving entire generations of Libyans with limitations in their comprehension of the English language.
