|RConstitution:|N Islamic Socialistic "Mass-state", in theory ruled by the populace.
|RNational holiday:|N Revolution Day, September 1, British Evacuation Day, March 28, US Evacuation Day, June 16 and Declaration of People's Power, March 2.
|RNature and climate:|N Deserts cover most of the area with a narrow coastal strip towards the Mediterranean Sea. There are mountains in the south and west.
Average temperature in January 10°C and in July 25°C by the coast and 30°C in the interior.
Percipitation 250 mm by the Mediterranean Sea and about 50 mm in the interior.
|RPeople:|N 97% Berber and Arab.
|REconomy:|N 18% of the labour force is occupied in agriculture, 31% in industry, 27% in different services and 24% in the public sector.
Most important crops are dates, olives, citrus and other fruits, grapes and wheat.
Stockraizing is fairly important. Wool and hides are traditionally exported.
Libya have minerals such as gypsum, iron ore, oil and natural gas.
Industry has traditionally been aimed at developing the agricultural resources and manufacturing of carpets and textiles as well as handicrafts in leather, gold and silver.
Since oilextraction started in the 1960:s oilrefineries and chemical plants have been built.
Production of building materials is extensive and great efforts are made to develop other industries.
|RHistory:|N In ancient times nomadic tribes lived in the interior of Libya and the coastal area was successively ruled by Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Berbs, Romans and Vandals until it in the 4th century AD became a part of the Byzantine empire.
In the 7th and 8th centuries the Islamic expansion swept through the area and Libya became a part of the Muslim world.
About 1520 Libya was conquered by the Ottomans and remained under Ottoman control until 1911 when it was conquered by Italy.
After World War I local resistance began under the leadership of king Idis I and in 1943 British troops drove away Italian and German troops from Libya and king Idis returned from exile. In 1951 Libya became a constitutional monarchy.
Huge oil reserves were discovered in 1959 and extraction of this oil rapidly transformed Libya from one of the poorest to one of the richest countries in North Africa.
In 1969 the king was ousted in a military coup led by Muammar al-Qaddafi, who has since led the country.
After the coup most foreign assets were nationalized and Libya started to aid a number of terrorist-groups.
At various times there has been international economic sanctions on Libya because of it's support to terrorists.
