Libya is at least 10 millennia old, an incredibly ancient and culturally rich country that was destined for a difficult fate. Among the mass of armed groups and buildings destroyed by explosions, there are ancient temples and ruins of ancient cities that are eternal as the world, which tell us about the past of our planet! Otherwise, observers call Libya “African Rome”. Ride on the sand dunes, see with your own eyes the columns of Leptis Magna and the amazing volcanic field – that’s what you can do in Libya.
Geography of Libya
According to extrareference, the absolute majority of the country’s territory, with an area of 1,759,540 km², is made up of sandy deserts. On the north side, Libya is washed by the Mediterranean Sea, the length of the coastline is 1770 km. In the south it borders with Chad and Niger, in the southeast with Sudan, in the east with Egypt, and in the northwest with Tunisia.
Capital
Tripoli
Area
The area of Libya is 1,759,540 km. sq., occupies the 16th place in the world in terms of area.
Population
5,613,380.
Currency
The national currency is the Libyan Dinar (LYD).
Language
The official language is Arabic.
Weather in Libya
The main feature of the local climate in Libya is an extremely strong temperature difference; during the day, the thermometer scale can fall or rise by thirty or even forty degrees. In many parts of the country, the climate is very arid, precipitation here may not fall for several years. Summer is a particularly hot season, when the sand heats up to 100 ° C, and incredibly hot winds blow from the Sahara desert. The most acceptable time to visit Libya is from November to March, this is the time of the most comfortable temperatures, conducive to traveling around the country. The temperature of the sand in these months reaches a maximum of 30-40°C.
Currency exchange in Libya
The liquid currency for exchange in Libya is US dollars, even euros, and even more so, other currencies are not in demand. Exchange offices, as well as ATMs, are not common, only in the center of large cities. Bank cards are accepted only occasionally, mainly at airports and chain hotels. It is better not to carry cash checks to Libya at all. Please note that according to Muslim traditions, all official institutions, including banks, work only in the first half of the day. From Saturday to Thursday banks are open from 8 am to 12 pm. The day off is Friday.
Electricity
Voltage 127V, 50Hz. Socket type D (with three round pins arranged in a triangle) and L (with three round pins arranged in a row).
Religion
99% of the people of Libya are strict radical Muslims. At the same time, they are loyal to tourists and even allow foreign women to visit some of the central mosques, as long as they dress appropriately.
Security
Traveling to Libya is not easy and is quite dangerous. The country is in a tense internal situation, a state of emergency has been declared. In various parts of Libya, armed clashes between ethnic groups periodically occur. Many military units act in their own interests and are not under the control of the authorities. In October 2013, there was an armed attack on the Russian Embassy in the city of Tripoli, and it was closed. In fact, despite its fascinating cultural, historical and natural richness, Libya is not yet ready to become a popular tourist destination, and when you travel here, you should carefully assess the risks involved. Since 1969, the country has banned the use and sale of alcohol, its import into the country is also prohibited. There are no exceptions for non-Muslim foreign citizens in Libya, the penalties for breaking the law are harsh, in this case, imprisonment. If you do decide to visit Libya, you will need to report to the Ministry of Public Security within 7 days of your arrival. When moving around Libya, be prepared for frequent document checks, as well as the fact that moving between cities obliges you to use the services of a guide, and sometimes a security officer, since orientation in desert areas is extremely difficult in the absence of signs and landmarks. There are no travel agencies and maps in the country, you should take care of their acquisition in advance in your homeland. The vast majority of existing inscriptions in the country are in Arabic, local residents also most often do not speak English, be prepared to establish communication through a translator or dictionary. and also to the fact that moving between cities obliges you to resort to the services of a guide, and sometimes a security officer, since orientation in desert areas is extremely difficult in the absence of signs and landmarks. There are no travel agencies and maps in the country, you should take care of their acquisition in advance in your homeland. The vast majority of existing inscriptions in the country are in Arabic, local residents also most often do not speak English, be prepared to establish communication through a translator or dictionary. and also to the fact that moving between cities obliges you to resort to the services of a guide, and sometimes a security officer, since orientation in desert areas is extremely difficult in the absence of signs and landmarks. There are no travel agencies and maps in the country, you should take care of their acquisition in advance in your homeland. The vast majority of existing inscriptions in the country are in Arabic, local residents also most often do not speak English, be prepared to establish communication through a translator or dictionary.
Health
Health care in Libya works quite well, ambulances are available around the clock, medical staff, as well as pharmacists in pharmacies, partially speak English. Pharmacies have basic medicines, but it is still recommended to take a first aid kit with the essentials on a trip. It is not necessary to do special vaccinations before traveling to Libya, there are no specific diseases in the country, but typhus, measles, and smallpox occur periodically. As a preventive measure, it is enough to adhere to standard hygiene measures: drink only bottled water, wash your hands before and after eating.
