Libya By lisbet and victor

Government Government-military dictatorship In 1969 a military officer named Muammar al- qaddhafi gained power and overthrew the king. Qaddhafi is a dictator, or an all powerful leader. Democratic nations have accused Qaddhafi of encouraging terrorism against the U.S. and its citizens.

Important people Muammar al-Qaddafi is the chief of state. Mubarak abdallah alshamikh is the prime minister >>>>>>>>>

Location and Geography Situated on the coast of North Africa, nearly all of the nation's land mass is within the Sahara Desert. The country is bounded to the north by the Mediterranean Sea, to the west by Tunisia and Algeria, and to the south by Chad and Niger. Egypt borders Libya to the east and Sudan is to the southeast. The landmass of 679,500 square miles (1,760,000 square kilometers) makes Libya the fourth largest country in Africa. Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Egypt and Tunisia

Economy The two major components of the traditional Libyan economy were agriculture and pastoralism, both largely subsistence activities. Most agricultural communities were kin-based, organized through patrilineal descent. Differences in wealth produced a class of local notables who relied upon the community for their influence and power. There was a tendency for communities to view themselves as corporate groups rather than agricultural communities or pastoral hinterlands. There were influential trading families in the larger commercial centers, but their power in the hinterland was limited. Communities tended to be self-contained and were based on subsistence activities in which families provided for most of their needs from their own labor. Surpluses were traded in local markets and exchanged in networks of pastoral families.

Religion Most traditional Libyans are devout Muslims and practice a simple and deeply personal religion. Adults follow the strictures of Islam; they pray five times a day, give alms to the poor, and fast for the month of Ramadan. There is a certain austerity to Libyan Islam shaped by the harshness of traditional life. This asceticism was reinforced by the Sanussi order, which was abolished by the Qaddafi regime for political reasons. In its place, the regime instituted fundamentalist practices with very little impact on rural life, where the Libyan version of an ascetic Islam is still practiced. Muslim 97%, other 3%

Important places Sabratha is the most important archaeological site of western Libya after Leptis Magna. Sabratha was selected as an emporium, or trading post, by Phoenician merchants for its position 43 km west of Zuwara and 66 km east of Oea. This well is found at the entrance to Tashwinet. A place used by the tuareg to refurbish their water supplies and now used by the modern day traveller to rest, get cleaned up and refill their water supplies before continuing the journey into the desert.

food Couscous and Vegetables Tajin kufta Basbousa bil Tamr

Language Arabic is the official language, although Berber is sometimes spoken and English and Italian are used in trade. Arabic must be used for all official purposes.

Clothing

Ethnic groups Berber and Arab 97%, other 3% (includes Greeks, Maltese, Italians, Egyptians, Pakistanis, Turks, Indians, and Tunisians)

Traditions Libyan culture centres on folk art and traditions, which are highly influenced by Islam. The traditional arts of weaving, embroidery, metal engraving, and leatherwork rarely depict people or animals because of the Islamic prohibition against such representation. The dominant geometric and arabesque designs are best presented in the stucco and tiles of the Karamanli and Gurgi mosques of Tripoli. Surviving traditions are represented by festivals, horse races, and folk dances. Nonreligious literature has developed largely since the 1960s; it is nationalistic in character but reveals Egyptian influences. The arts are supported by the government through the Ministry of Information, the Ministry of Education and National Guidance, and the Al-Fikr Society, a group of intellectuals and professionals.

Questions? Who is the prime minister? What is there official language? What religion are they? What is there government? What is one important place? Where is its location? What is most of there ethnic group? What is one of there traditions? What are there economy?