Oil-rich Libya

Our plane lands at the airport in the Libyan capital. Libya is a country that borders the Mediterranean to the north. Most of the cities are along the Mediterranean coast. Few people live in the southern part of the country, which is basically a desert. Nearly the entire population lives in coastal areas in the north. Libya is one of the biggest countries in North Africa in terms of land, with its surface area totaling 1,759,000 square kilometers. Its population is 6 million. Its capital is Tripoli.

Omar Mukhtar’s country

Libya is Omar Mukhtar’s country. He is one of the first people who come to mind when someone says Libya. People still talk about and remember how he and his comrades showed tremendous resistance to the Italians. He was a sincere Muslim leader who risked his life for his country, organized the people to work towards independence and defended his country against enemies. Mukhtar did everything he could for his country until he was captured and publicly executed by the Italian invaders. But they could not quell the fire of independence in the hearts of Libyans. Libya won its independence on Dec. 24, 1951.

Libya is officially known as the Socialist People’s Libyan Arab Great Jamahiriya. In Arabic its full name is Al-Jamahiriyyah al-Arabiyyah al-Libiyyah ashabiyyah al-Ishtirakiyyah al-Uzma. Libya’s flag is quite simple. There are no shapes or symbols on it; it is just green. Libya’s official language is Arabic, and nearly the entire population is Sunni Muslim. The majority of the people are Berber and Arab. The weekend is Friday and Saturday with Sunday being the first business day.

There are many Turkish companies in Libya, and most of these companies are focused on construction and usually undertake major projects. According to Libyan leader Muammar al-Gaddafi, Turks constitute the majority of foreign construction companies in the country.

The currency is the Libyan dinar, which is currently more valuable than the Turkish lira. One dollar is equal to 1.25 Libyan dinars. Libya recently removed its visa requirements for Turkish citizens.

Oil: 95 percent of Libyan revenues

Libya was a poor country before oil was discovered. Oil was found in the 1950s after which the country began to rapidly develop. Today, oil provides about 95 percent of Libya’s export revenue. The country looks almost like a construction site.

[ QUICK FACTS ] Capital: Tripoli Official language: Arabic Government: Jamahiriya Chief of state: Col. Muammar Abu Minyar al-Gaddafi Prime Minister: Baghdadi Mahmudi Area: 1,759,540 square kilometers Population: 6,461,454 * Gross domestic product (PPP): $ 95.88 billion** Main religions: Islam (97 percent), Coptic Orthodox (1 percent), minority Christian  *July 2010 estimate **2009 estimate

The oil in Libya is of high quality, and drilling is not very expensive. Libya’s economy is based on oil, and natural gas is exported along with oil. Italy, Germany, France, Spain, the US and China are Libya’s leading export countries.

It would not be an overstatement to say that oil is cheaper than water. A liter of oil is 0.20 dinar. In other words, just Kr 25. The drilling of oil played a critical role in the country’s growth. The country started exporting oil in 1961. With an oil reserve of 44 billion barrels, it has one of the biggest oil reserves on the African continent. The treasury of the Libyan government is well off because of oil. Rich oil deposits have made this country the richest country in Africa.

The cost of vehicles is very low as well. Libyans pay one-third of the price people pay in Turkey for a car. Health services are also free. Electricity and water is provided for very nominal fees.

Alcohol and drugs are prohibited. These laws are applied very strictly. People who break these laws are subject to serious penalties regardless of if they are citizens or foreigners. Libya is a country that does not have nightlife.

Tourism is constantly growing. There are many newly built luxurious apartment buildings, and there is even a seven-star hotel. Finding rooms at hotels can be very difficult when there are fairs and international events; therefore, making reservations in advance is very useful.

Al-Gaddafi has been leading the country since 1969. He is one of the longest-serving rulers in the world. He is the sole decision maker. The public refers to him has al-qaed, which means commander, or aqid, which means colonel.

Sept. 1 is a national holiday for Libyans. Recently, Libya celebrated the 40th anniversary of the revolution and the al-Gaddafi regime. Money was no issue during the extravagant celebrations. Other state leaders attended the celebrations, during which al-Gaddafi appeared very happy.

The capital, Tripoli, is Libya’s biggest city, with a population of approximately 2 million. It is a port city on the Mediterranean, and it is Libya’s leading economic, trade and political city.

Tripoli is one of the most beautiful cities on the Mediterranean coast. Changes are occurring every day, and the city is improving rapidly.

The Abdel Nasser Mosque is Libya’s central mosque. This house of worship was used as a church by the Italians during the occupation but then was turned back into a mosque in 1972. The exquisite mosque is the biggest mosque in the capital. There is an inscription of Surah Rahman on one of the walls.

Libyans are religious people, and you can’t help but notice that most Libyan women wear a headscarf.