LIBYA in Perspective TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER 1: GEOGRAPHY......................................................................................................... 1 Introduction .............................................................................................................................. 1 Geographical Divisions and Topographical Features .............................................................. 1 Tripolitania (Western Region) .......................................................................................... 2 Fezzan ............................................................................................................................... 3 Cyrenaica .......................................................................................................................... 3 Climate ..................................................................................................................................... 4 Bodies of Water ....................................................................................................................... 5 Major Cities ............................................................................................................................. 5 Tripoli ............................................................................................................................... 6 Benghazi ........................................................................................................................... 7 Misratah ............................................................................................................................ 8 Tobruk .............................................................................................................................. 8 Sabha ................................................................................................................................ 9 Al Khufrah Oasis .............................................................................................................. 9 Environmental Issues ............................................................................................................. 10 Natural Hazards ..................................................................................................................... 11 CHAPTER 1 ASSESSMENT ....................................................................................................... 13 CHAPTER 2: HISTORY .............................................................................................................. 14 Introduction ............................................................................................................................ 14 Early History and Peoples ..................................................................................................... 14 Berbers ............................................................................................................................ 14 Phoenicians ..................................................................................................................... 15 Garamantes ..................................................................................................................... 15 Ancient Empires .................................................................................................................... 16 Carthage .......................................................................................................................... 16 The Greeks ...................................................................................................................... 16 Romans ........................................................................................................................... 17 Vandals and Byzantines ................................................................................................. 18 Muslim Dynasties .................................................................................................................. 18 The Ottoman Era .................................................................................................................... 19 The Sanusi Brotherhood ................................................................................................. 20 The Italian Colonial Era ......................................................................................................... 21 World War II .......................................................................................................................... 22 Independent Libya (United Kingdom of Libya) .................................................................... 23 Revolution .............................................................................................................................. 23 Consolidation of Power ......................................................................................................... 25 The Pariah State ..................................................................................................................... 26 Fall of Qadhafi ....................................................................................................................... 27 Recent Developments ............................................................................................................ 28 © DLIFLC | i LIBYA in Perspective CHAPTER 2 ASSESSMENT ....................................................................................................... 29 CHAPTER 3: ECONOMY ........................................................................................................... 30 Introduction ............................................................................................................................ 30 Agriculture ............................................................................................................................. 31 Industry .................................................................................................................................. 32 Energy and Natural Resources ............................................................................................... 32 Trade and Transportation ....................................................................................................... 34 Tourism .................................................................................................................................. 35 Banking and Finance ............................................................................................................. 35 Standard of Living ................................................................................................................. 36 Employment ........................................................................................................................... 37 Public vs. Private Sector ........................................................................................................ 38 Outlook .................................................................................................................................. 38 CHAPTER 3 ASSESSMENT ....................................................................................................... 39 CHAPTER 4: SOCIETY .............................................................................................................. 40 Introduction ............................................................................................................................ 40 Ethnic Groups ........................................................................................................................ 41 Languages .............................................................................................................................. 42 Religion .................................................................................................................................. 43 Gender Issues ......................................................................................................................... 44 Cuisine ................................................................................................................................... 45 Traditional Dress ................................................................................................................... 46 The Arts ................................................................................................................................. 47 Dance and Music ............................................................................................................ 47 Sports and Recreation ............................................................................................................ 47 CHAPTER 4 ASSESSMENT ....................................................................................................... 49 CHAPTER 5: SECURITY ............................................................................................................ 50 Introduction ............................................................................................................................ 50 U.S.–Libyan Relations ........................................................................................................... 50 Relations with Neighboring Countries .................................................................................. 52 Egypt 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