Libya is a country in North Africa it borders the Mediterranean Sea to the north and lies between Egypt to the east, Sudan to the southeast, Chad and Niger to the south, and Algeria and Tunisia to the west. With an area of almost 1.8 million square kilometres 90 percent of which is desert. It is the fourth largest country in Africa by area and the 17th largest in the world. The capital Tripoli is home to 1.7 million of Libyans 5.7 million people. The three traditional parts of the country are Tripolitania, the Fezzan and Cyrenaica. Libyas coastline is the longest of any African country bordering the Mediterranean.



The climate is mostly dry and desert like in nature. However, the northern regions enjoy a milder Mediterranean climate. The best time to visit Libya is between late October and early May, when daytime temperatures are relatively mellow for a desert country. Between June and September, temperatures rise to 38 on a regular basis.

The coastal atmosphere is generally humid, while inland the deserts are often as dry as dust. The best periods in which to avoid travel to Libya is late spring and early fall when the countries subject to the massive Ghibli sandstorms from the south.

Natural hazards come in the form of hot, dry, dust laden sirocco. This is a southern wind blowing from one to four days in spring and autumn. There are also dust storms and sandstorms. Oases can also be found scattered throughout Libya, the most important of which are Ghadames and Kufra as well as others.

The Libyan Desert, which covers much of eastern Libya, is one of the most arid places on earth. In places, decades may pass without rain, and even in the highlands rainfall happens erratically, once every 5 to 10 years.

Libya has been officially promoting tourism in an effort to start diversifying an economy primarily based on oil. However, tourist facilities are currently said to be pretty limited compared to its neighbours although, on the plus side, visitors will benefit from relatively cheap prices.

A nascent diving industry is developing as the country is increasingly opened up for tourism. Dive sites include a large number of wrecks as well as archaeological sites and there is always the lure of the supposed Second World War gold sunk offshore.

The larger hotels are reputed to offer a high standard of accommodation and are relatively cheap.

Food is also of a fair standard and relatively cheap. Couscous is the main local dish in Libya. It consists of steamed wheat semolina served with mutton or lamb, vegetables and spicy sauce. Another traditional dish eaten with fingers is pasta and dumplings called Bazen served with a hot sauce. Red and green tea with mint is the national beverage. In addition, a wide choice of foreign dishes is available from Chinese to European, including sea food. Fast food restaurants are increasingly popular.