Tripoli is the largest city in the Libyan capital. Its population reached (940,653) thousand people in 2012 and is located in northwest Libya.
The city is also located on a rocky promontory overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, facing the southern tip of Sicily, and is bordered to the east by the Tagora region.
To the west is Janzour, to the south is the Sudanese Sea, and to the north is the Mediterranean Sea, so follow us with all the details on our always distinguished article.
The emergence of Tripoli, the capital of Libya
- Tripoli appeared in the seventh century BC, and was a Phoenician trading place and a market for the disposal of raw materials from Black Africa.
- The city’s role in the field of communication between North and South continues, so their connection extends south to cover Sudan (Africa).
- The reason for its name goes back to the Greeks who called it “Tripoli”, (meaning three cities) and the city is called “Oia”.
- Or “Oyat Pilat Makar” (Utah in the town of Markat).
- Many Phoenician and Punic tombs were found in Tripoli, and a Phoenician pottery factory was found.
- In the center of the city there is Martyrs’ Square and the Hamra Saray, and Tripoli is called the “Bride of the Mediterranean.”
- Because of its beautiful gardens and white buildings, Tripoli is also known as “Tripoli of the West.”
- To distinguish it from “Tripoli of the Levant” in northern Lebanon.
- It is also believed that subsequent excavations in Tripoli (Wyatt) will reveal the roots of the Canaanite-Phoenician civilization in the history of Libya.
- This city has always been built up and inhabited, so there is no opportunity for excavations in it similar to the excavations in Sabratha and Leptis Magna.
- However, the Phoenician civilization still appears in three major cities: Leptis Magna, Yat, and Sabratha.
- These characteristics are still present and clear and then moved to the depths of Libya, and researchers believe that the direction of the arc of the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius.
- It represents the direction of the ancient Phoenician city that established the ancient Phoenician city.
- In the Roman era, the Romans built Roman structures and compared to the Roman Emperor, he did not survive in the ancient city.
- Except for the Arc of Triumph, also known as the Arch of Marcus Aurelius, and in that era Trajan’s reign was granted in the late first century.
- In the second century, Emperor Antoninus Pius granted the city a certain colonial status within the territory of Tripoli.
- In the fifth century, the city was subjected to the rule of the Vandals and Byzantines, and in the sixth century during the invasion of invaders.
- The walls of Leptis Magna and Sabratha were destroyed.
Read also: What is the ancient capital of Libya?
إقرأ أيضا:الدمام والمدن المجاورة – -انظر حولكIslamic conquest in the capital of Libya
- In 645 AD, it was occupied by Muslim Arabs during the Caliphate of Omar ibn al-Khattab, and since then the city has remained under Arab rule.
- (Except for the Norman occupation of Sicily, which was 1146-1158 AD).
- It began occupying the region in 1510 AD until it was handed over to the Knights of St. John of Malta, who controlled it until 1551 AD.
- Tripoli sought help from the Ottoman Empire in a displaced place east of the city, Tajoura, to get rid of the Christian occupation of the city.
- Represented by the Spanish and the Knights of Saint John.
The Spaniards and the Knights of Saint John
At the beginning of the sixteenth century, the Mediterranean region witnessed maritime conflicts between European countries.
Represented by Spanish Christians and Arab Muslims.
Spain also attacked with its forces the ports of North Africa and occupied the following cities:
- Ceuta, Tangier, Tlemcen, Martha Kebir, Oran, Bejaia, and Tripoli. In 1510, the people of Tripoli did their best to defend their city.
- This is the leader of the Spanish movement, against Tripoli, “Count Roo di Varo,” he wrote in his letter to the representative of Sicily.
- The Tripolitans were putting up violent resistance.
- Spain has reasons for occupying Tripoli, especially its strategic location, its strong port and its rich wealth.
- The Spaniards also believe that Spain needs to benefit from funding its army in the ongoing war against Muslims.
- He made it a military base in Spain to resist the continuous attack from the east and the opposite route, which is the “Ottoman tide.”
- Which was used by “Hili Din Barbarossa” and his successor, “Dagrit Pasha”, to become a naval power in the Mediterranean basin.
- Under the leadership of “Spain,” it poses a real threat to Spain’s presence in the North African country.
Ottoman era in the capital of Libya
- The Tripolitans called on the Ottoman Empire, as the Islamic Caliphate, to enter Tripoli and expel the Knights of Saint John.
- While the Ottomans were able to do this under the leadership of the military commander Dargut Pasha.
- The commander led a resistance movement composed of the Ottoman army and the people of Tripoli, and used Tajoura as the commander’s headquarters.
- After the expulsion of the Knights of Saint John, Tripoli officially became a vassal state of the Ottoman Empire under the name “State of Tripoli.”
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إقرأ أيضا:وصف احد المعالم السياحية في الجزائر انظر حولكNaming Tripoli the capital of Libya
- Its history can be traced back to the Phoenicians who called it Oia after they fled Sicily, after the civil war.
- They created Oya with the help of the Illumites. This city is called Oyat-Pilat-Makar.
- Many Phoenician and Uninic cemeteries were found in Tripoli, and a Phoenician pottery factory was found there.
- The city was named because it was one of the three cities built by the Phoenicians, namely Oyat (present-day Tripoli), Leptis Magna, and Sabratha.
- In the Roman era, the Romans created Roman structures, and it was the only thing associated with the Roman Emperor.
- It is the remaining triumphal arch in the ancient city of Marcus Aurelius of that era.
- As it was, the city was given colonial status during the reign of Trajan in the late first century AD.
- Until the reign of Emperor Antoninus Pius in the second century AD.
- It is also believed that subsequent excavations in Tripoli (Wyatt) will reveal the roots of the Canaanite-Phoenician civilization in the history of Libya.
- This city has always been built up and inhabited, so there is no opportunity for excavations in it similar to the excavations in Sabratha and Leptis Magna.
Independence and Gaddafi’s rule in Libya
- In the United Kingdom of Libya, taking into account the federal system of the time, Tripoli would alternately play the role of the capital and fight alongside it.
- Along with Benghazi, the largest city in eastern Libya, it then planned to move it after the end of the federal system in 1963.
- Al Bayda is considered the capital of the state.
- After the September 1969 coup, the capital’s mission was concentrated in Tripoli, where the country’s leadership was located.
- And the secretaries of “various ministries and agencies.”
- The headquarters of all embassies and the most important infrastructure departments, and an attempt was made to make Sirte the capital of the country.
- Through a central (ministerial) secretariat meeting.
- But it has not done so yet. The state also tried to hand over the secretariat to the Huns, but the plan changed again.
- The tasks were settled in the capital, Tripoli.
- The prosperity of the Libyan economy is due to the country’s large reserves of natural gas and oil.
- This allows the country to earn a large amount of income from hard currency.
- Tripoli has witnessed reconstruction and infrastructure development since the early 1970s, and Tripoli has become a regional home to many excellent facilities.
- Most notable are the Tripoli International Fair, Tripoli International Airport, and the Tripoli Seaport, as well as the time when international sanctions were imposed on the country.
- Because of the Lockerbie affair, it was in the 1990s, and after the state solved its external problems, the construction project was withdrawn.
- Although the country has resources, problems resulting from the lack of appropriate economic policies continue.
- However, this did not prevent Tripoli from witnessing an urban development project in 2005, which many sources described.
- Being one of the most prominent projects, it is the new Tripoli International Airport.
- The airport managers plan to transform it into the largest airport on the African continent with a capacity of 20 million passengers per year.
Libyan revolution
July 3, 2019: 53 people were killed, and 130 others were injured in the bombing of an African immigration center in Tripoli in the west.
إقرأ أيضا:عاصمة الصومال القديمة – -انظر حولكThe Government of National Accord and the Libyan National Army also exchanged accusations regarding the identity of the perpetrators.
See also: Where is Libya located on the map?
Administrative division of Tripoli, the capital of Libya
- Tripoli is the capital of Libya and the largest city in the country.
- The city of Tripoli is divided into several districts (neighborhoods), but there is no precise system of administrative division compared to the higher level of administrative division in Libya.
- According to the Upper Administrative Division of Libya, the city is administered by the Municipal Council of Tripoli.
- Tripoli is considered an important city from an economic, cultural and administrative perspective in Libya. It is the center of the national government and the headquarters of a number of ministries and government institutions.
- The city contains a number of tourist, commercial and educational places, including universities, schools, shops and markets.
Landmarks of Tripoli, the capital of Libya
Tripoli is the capital and largest city of Libya, and is a historical and cultural city of great importance. Here are some of Tripoli’s highlights:
- Al-Aqsa Market (Old City): This area is considered the historical heart of the city and includes many markets, shops and traditional buildings. She enjoys wandering its narrow streets and exploring Libyan handicrafts and cuisine.
- the Red Castle: This ancient castle dates back to the Middle Ages and is considered one of the most prominent historical monuments in Tripoli. It offers wonderful views of the city and the sea.
- Jamahiriya Museum: The museum offers a large collection of archaeological and historical pieces that reflect the history and culture of Libya.
- Green field: This square is a gathering place for locals and visitors, and is surrounded by cafes, restaurants and shops.
- Gaddafi Grand Mosque: A huge mosque that is considered one of the religious landmarks in the city.
Demographics in Libya
The composition of Libya’s population is diverse and complex, and is influenced by many factors including history, culture, geography, and economics. Here’s an overview of Libya’s demographics:
- Population: The Libyan population is estimated at more than 6 million people, making it one of the most populous countries in North Africa. The capital, Tripoli, is the largest city in the country in terms of population.
- Geographical distribution: The population in Libya is unevenly distributed due to geographical conditions. Coastal areas are a center of economic and commercial activity and thus attract a large population. In contrast, the interior regions suffer from a decline in population density due to difficult environmental and economic conditions.
- Ethnic and cultural diversity: Libya includes a variety of ethnicities and cultures. Arabs are the most widespread and represented in Libya, and constitute the vast majority of the population. There are also other groups such as the Berbers, Touareg and Tebu. Many Libyans speak Arabic as their main language.
- Religion: Islam is the main religion in Libya, and most of the population is estimated to be Muslims, whether Sunni or Shiite. There are also small religious minorities of Christians, Jews, and some other religious minorities.
- Immigration: In recent years, Libya has witnessed multiple migration trends, including internal and external migration. The conflicts and security crises in Libya have prompted many Libyans to search for better opportunities outside the country, and Libya has also attracted increasing numbers of migrants and refugees searching for a better life.
Climate of Libya
Libya’s climate is affected by its geographical location and diverse terrain. The climate in Libya can be divided into three main regions:
- North Coast: The North Coast has a Mediterranean climate, with winters being mild and humid and summers being hot and dry. Temperatures range from 12°C in winter to 32°C in summer. This area is considered suitable for growing olives, grains and vegetables.
- Central Region: The central region is characterized by a hot, dry desert climate, with temperatures high during summer, reaching 40 degrees Celsius or more, while winters are relatively mild. This area is arid and experiences little rainfall.
- the Libyan desert: The Libyan Desert constitutes most of the country’s geographical area, and an extremely dry and hot desert climate prevails here. Summer temperatures are very high, and rainfall is very little.
Economy of Libya
Libya’s economy was heavily dependent on oil and natural gas exports. However, due to the political and security turmoil that began in 2011 and continued in the following years, the Libyan economy was greatly affected and witnessed major fluctuations. Here are some important aspects of the Libyan economy:
- oil and gas: Oil and gas are the main sources of revenue in Libya. Libya is considered one of the largest oil producing countries in Africa, and exports large quantities of oil to global markets. Oil and gas production has been greatly affected during the political crisis and ongoing fighting in the country.
- Industry and infrastructure: Libya’s industry and infrastructure suffer from disruptions and damage. Wars and conflicts greatly affected the industrial and infrastructure sectors, and contributed to reducing production and economic growth.
- Agriculture: Agriculture is an important sector in Libya, where crops such as grains, fruits and vegetables are grown. However, challenges such as water shortages and arid soil make agriculture unsustainable in some areas.
- tourism: Libya used to hold an important position as a tourist destination due to its rich culture and ancient history. However, the tourism sector has been severely affected by the unrest and security conditions.
- Education and health: Libyans enjoy a free education and public health system, but political turmoil has left its mark on the quality of these sectors.
Frequently asked questions about the capital of Libya
What is the location of Libya?
Libya is a country located in North Africa, on the northern coast of the Mediterranean Sea.
What is the capital of Libya?
The capital of Libya is the city of Tripoli.
What is the official language in Libya?
The official language in Libya is Arabic.
What currency is used in Libya?
The currency used in Libya is the Libyan dinar (LYD).
What is the main religion in Libya?
Islam is the main religion in Libya, and the majority of Libyans live according to Sunni Islam.
Is Libya suffering from political unrest?
Yes, Libya has witnessed political and security unrest since 2011 after the revolution that overthrew the regime of Colonel Muammar Gaddafi. The country witnessed division and ongoing political and security conflict.