2007 Edition

Administrative divisions

25 municipalities (baladiyat, singular - baladiyah); Ajdabiya, Al 'Aziziyah, Al Fatih, Al Jabal al Akhdar, Al Jufrah, Al Khums, Al Kufrah, An Nuqat al Khams, Ash Shati', Awbari, Az Zawiyah, Banghazi, Darnah, Ghadamis, Gharyan, Misratah, Murzuq, Sabha, Sawfajjin, Surt, Tarabulus, Tarhunah, Tubruq, Yafran, Zlitan; note - the 25 municipalities may have been replaced by 13 regions

Age structure

0-14 years: 33.6% (male 1,012,748/female 969,978) 15-64 years: 62.2% (male 1,891,643/female 1,778,621) 65 years and over: 4.2% (male 121,566/female 126,198) (2006 est.)

Agriculture - products

wheat, barley, olives, dates, citrus, vegetables, peanuts, soybeans; cattle

Airports

141 (2006)

Airports - with paved runways

over 3,047 m

23 2,438 to 3,047 m: 6 1,524 to 2,437 m: 23 914 to 1,523 m: 6

total

60

under 914 m

2 (2006)

Airports - with unpaved runways

over 3,047 m

5 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 15 914 to 1,523 m: 41

total

81

under 914 m

18 (2006)

Area

land

1,759,540 sq km

total

1,759,540 sq km

water

0 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly larger than Alaska

Background

The Italians supplanted the Ottoman Turks from the area around Tripoli in 1911 and did not relinquish their hold until 1943 when defeated in World War II. Libya then passed to UN administration and achieved independence in 1951. Following a 1969 military coup, Col. Muammar Abu Minyar al-QADHAFI began to espouse his own political system, the Third Universal Theory. The system is a combination of socialism and Islam derived in part from tribal practices and is supposed to be implemented by the Libyan people themselves in a unique form of "direct democracy." QADHAFI has always seen himself as a revolutionary and visionary leader. He used oil funds during the 1970s and 1980s to promote his ideology outside Libya, supporting subversives and terrorists abroad to hasten the end of Marxism and capitalism. In addition, beginning in 1973, he engaged in military operations in northern Chad's Aozou Strip - to gain access to minerals and to use as a base of influence in Chadian politics - but was forced to retreat in 1987. UN sanctions in 1992 isolated QADHAFI politically following the downing of Pan AM Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland. Libyan support for terrorism appeared to have decreased after the imposition of sanctions. During the 1990s, QADHAFI also began to rebuild his relationships with Europe. UN sanctions were suspended in April 1999 and finally lifted in September 2003 after Libya resolved the Lockerbie case. In December 2003, Libya announced that it had agreed to reveal and end its programs to develop weapons of mass destruction, and QADHAFI has made significant strides in normalizing relations with western nations since then. He has received various Western European leaders as well as many working-level and commercial delegations, and made his first trip to Western Europe in 15 years when he traveled to Brussels in April 2004. QADHAFI also resolved in 2004 some of the outstanding cases against his government for terrorist activities in the 1980s by compensating some families of victims of the Pan Am 103, French airliner UTA, and La Belle disco bombings. The US resumed full diplomatic relations with Libya in May 2006 and rescinded Libya's designation as a state sponsor of terrorism in June. Geography Libya

Birth rate

26.49 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)

Budget

expenditures

$19.3 billion; including capital expenditures of $5.6 billion (2006 est.)

revenues

$33.34 billion

Capital

geographic coordinates

32 54 N, 13 11 E

name

Tripoli

time difference

UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Climate

Mediterranean along coast; dry, extreme desert interior

Coastline

1,770 km

Constitution

none; note - following the September 1969 military overthrow of the Libyan government, the Revolutionary Command Council replaced the existing constitution with the Constitutional Proclamation in December 1969; in March 1977, Libya adopted the Declaration of the Establishment of the People's Authority

Country name

conventional long form

Great Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya

conventional short form

Libya

local long form

Al Jumahiriyah al Arabiyah al Libiyah ash Shabiyah al Ishtirakiyah al Uzma

local short form

none

Currency (code)

Libyan dinar (LYD)

Currency code

LYD

Current account balance

$14.5 billion (2006 est.)

Death rate

3.48 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)

Debt - external

$4.492 billion (2006 est.)

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission

Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires ad Interim Charles O. CECIL

embassy

Corinthia Bab Africa Hotel, Souq At-Tlat Al-Qadim, Tripoli

mailing address

US Embassy, 8850 Tripoli Place, Washington, DC 20521-8850

telephone

[218] 21-335-1848

Diplomatic representation in the US

chancery

2600 Virginia Avenue NW, Suite 705, Washington, DC 20037

chief of mission

ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Ali AUJALI

telephone

[1] (202) 944-9601

Disputes - international

Libya has claimed more than 32,000 sq km in southeastern Algeria and about 25,000 sq km in the Tommo region of Niger in a currently dormant dispute; various Chadian rebels from the Aozou region reside in southern Libya

Economic aid - recipient

ODA, $18 million (2004 est.)

Economy - overview

The Libyan economy depends primarily upon revenues from the oil sector, which contribute about 95% of export earnings, about one-quarter of GDP, and 60% of public sector wages. Substantial revenues from the energy sector coupled with a small population give Libya one of the highest per capita GDPs in Africa, but little of this income flows down to the lower orders of society. Libyan officials in the past four years have made progress on economic reforms as part of a broader campaign to reintegrate the country into the international fold. This effort picked up steam after UN sanctions were lifted in September 2003 and as Libya announced in December 2003 that it would abandon programs to build weapons of mass destruction. Almost all US unilateral sanctions against Libya were removed in April 2004, helping Libya attract more foreign direct investment, mostly in the energy sector. Libyan oil and gas licensing rounds continue to draw high international interest. Libya faces a long road ahead in liberalizing the socialist-oriented economy, but initial steps - including applying for WTO membership, reducing some subsidies, and announcing plans for privatization - are laying the groundwork for a transition to a more market-based economy. The non-oil manufacturing and construction sectors, which account for more than 20% of GDP, have expanded from processing mostly agricultural products to include the production of petrochemicals, iron, steel, and aluminum. Climatic conditions and poor soils severely limit agricultural output, and Libya imports about 75% of its food.

Electricity - consumption

18.08 billion kWh (2004)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2004)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2004)

Electricity - production

19.44 billion kWh (2004)

Electricity - production by source

fossil fuel

100%

hydro

0%

nuclear

0%

other

0% (2001)

Elevation extremes

highest point

Bikku Bitti 2,267 m

lowest point

Sabkhat Ghuzayyil -47 m

Environment - current issues

desertification; very limited natural fresh water resources; the Great Manmade River Project, the largest water development scheme in the world, is being built to bring water from large aquifers under the Sahara to coastal cities

Environment - international agreements

party to

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified

Law of the Sea

Ethnic groups

Berber and Arab 97%, Greeks, Maltese, Italians, Egyptians, Pakistanis, Turks, Indians, Tunisians

Exchange rates

Libyan dinars per US dollar - 1.315 (2006), 1.3084 (2005), 1.305 (2004), 1.2929 (2003), 1.2707 (2002)

Executive branch

cabinet

General People's Committee established by the General People's Congress

chief of state

Revolutionary Leader Col. Muammar Abu Minyar al-QADHAFI (since 1 September 1969); note - holds no official title, but is de facto chief of state

election results

NA

elections

national elections are indirect through a hierarchy of people's committees; head of government elected by the General People's Congress; election last held March 2006 (next to be held NA)

head of government

Secretary of the General People's Committee (Prime Minister) al-Baghdadi Ali al-MAHMUDI (since 5 March 2006)

Exports

$37.02 billion f.o.b. (2006 est.)

Exports - commodities

crude oil, refined petroleum products, natural gas, chemicals

Exports - partners

Italy 37.7%, Germany 15.1%, Spain 9.3%, Turkey 6.2%, France 6.2%, US 5.2% (2005)

FAX

[1] (202) 944-9060

Fiscal year

calendar year Communications Libya

Flag description

plain green; green is the traditional color of Islam (the state religion) Economy Libya

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture

7.3%

industry

51.3%

services

41.4% (2006 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$12,700 (2006 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

8.1% (2006 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$34.83 billion (2006 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$74.97 billion (2006 est.)

Geographic coordinates

25 00 N, 17 00 E

Geography - note

more than 90% of the country is desert or semidesert People Libya

Government type

Jamahiriya (a state of the masses) in theory, governed by the populace through local councils; in practice, an authoritarian state

Heliports

2 (2006)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.3% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

10,000 (2001 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

highest 10%

NA%

lowest 10%

NA%

Imports

$14.47 billion f.o.b. (2006 est.)

Imports - commodities

machinery, semi-finished goods, food, transport equipment, consumer products

Imports - partners

Italy 21.2%, Germany 10.3%, Tunisia 5.6%, Turkey 4.8%, UK 4.8%, France 4.7%, South Korea 4.6%, China 4.5% (2005)

Independence

24 December 1951 (from UN trusteeship)

Industrial production growth rate

NA%

Industries

petroleum, iron and steel, food processing, textiles, handicrafts, cement

Infant mortality rate

female

21.32 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)

male

25.99 deaths/1,000 live births

total

23.71 deaths/1,000 live births

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

3.1% (2006 est.)

International organization participation

ABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AMF, AMU, AU, CAEU, COMESA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPCW, OPEC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer)

Internet country code

.ly

Internet hosts

31 (2006)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs)

1 (2002)

Internet users

205,000 (2005) Transportation Libya

Investment (gross fixed)

7.4% of GDP (2006 est.)

Irrigated land

4,700 sq km (2003)

Judicial branch

Supreme Court

Labor force

1.787 million (2006 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture

17%

industry

23%

services

59% (2004 est.)

Land boundaries

border countries

Algeria 982 km, Chad 1,055 km, Egypt 1,115 km, Niger 354 km, Sudan 383 km, Tunisia 459 km

total

4,348 km

Land use

arable land

1.03%

other

98.78% (2005)

permanent crops

0.19%

Languages

Arabic, Italian, English, all are widely understood in the major cities

Legal system

based on Italian civil law system and Islamic law; separate religious courts; no constitutional provision for judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Legislative branch

unicameral General People's Congress (NA seats; members elected indirectly through a hierarchy of people's committees)

Life expectancy at birth

female

79.02 years (2006 est.)

male

74.46 years

total population

76.69 years

Literacy

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

72% (2003 est.) Government Libya

male

92.4%

total population

82.6%

Location

Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Egypt and Tunisia

Major infectious diseases

degree of risk

intermediate

food or waterborne diseases

bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

vectorborne diseases

may be a significant risk in some locations during the transmission season (typically April through October) (2007)

Manpower available for military service

females age 17-49

1,429,152 (2005 est.)

males age 17-49

1,505,675

Manpower fit for military service

females age 17-49

1,230,824 (2005 est.)

males age 17-49

1,291,624

Manpower reaching military service age annually

females age 17-49

59,533 (2005 est.)

males age 18-49

62,034

Map references

Africa

Maritime claims

exclusive fishing zone

62 nm

note

Gulf of Sidra closing line - 32 degrees, 30 minutes north

territorial sea

12 nm

Median age

female

22.9 years (2006 est.)

male

23.1 years

total

23 years

Merchant marine

by type

cargo 10, liquefied gas 3, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 2, roll on/roll off 2

foreign-owned

4 (Kuwait 1, Norway 1, Turkey 2) (2006)

total

18 ships (1000 GRT or over) 86,034 GRT/89,820 DWT

Military branches

Armed Peoples on Duty (APOD, Army), Libyan Arab Navy, Libyan Arab Air Force (LAAF) (2006)

Military expenditures - dollar figure

$1.3 billion (FY99)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP

3.9% (FY99) Transnational Issues Libya

Military service age and obligation

17 years of age (2004)

National holiday

Revolution Day, 1 September (1969)

Nationality

adjective

Libyan

noun

Libyan(s)

Natural gas - consumption

5.93 billion cu m (2004 est.)

Natural gas - exports

2.13 billion cu m (2004 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2004 est.)

Natural gas - production

8.06 billion cu m (2004 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

1.472 trillion cu m (1 January 2005 est.)

Natural hazards

hot, dry, dust-laden ghibli is a southern wind lasting one to four days in spring and fall; dust storms, sandstorms

Natural resources

petroleum, natural gas, gypsum

Net migration rate

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)

Oil - consumption

237,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Oil - exports

1.34 million bbl/day (2004)

Oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2004)

Oil - production

1.72 million bbl/day (2006 est.)

Oil - proved reserves

42 billion bbl (2006 est.)

Pipelines

condensate 882 km; gas 3,481 km; oil 6,916 km (2006)

Political parties and leaders

none

Political pressure groups and leaders

various Arab nationalist movements with almost negligible memberships may be functioning clandestinely, as well as some Islamic elements; an anti-QADHAFI Libyan exile movement exists, primarily based in London, but has little influence

Population

5,900,754

note

includes 166,510 non-nationals (July 2006 est.)

Population below poverty line

7.4%

Population growth rate

2.3% (2006 est.)

Ports and terminals

As Sidrah, Az Zuwaytinah, Marsa al Burayqah, Ra's Lanuf, Tripoli, Zawiyah Military Libya

Public debt

5.6% of GDP (2006 est.)

Radio broadcast stations

AM 16, FM 3, shortwave 3 (2002)

Radios

1.35 million (1997)

Railways

0 km

note

Libya is working on seven lines totaling 2,757 km of 1.435-m gauge track; it hopes to have trains running by 2008 (2005)

Refugees and internally displaced persons

refugees (country of origin)

8,873 (Palestinian Territories) (2006)

Religions

Sunni Muslim 97%

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$57.48 billion (2006 est.)

Roadways

paved

47,590 km

total

83,200 km

unpaved

35,610 km (1999)

Sex ratio

at birth

1.05 male(s)/female

total population

1.05 male(s)/female (2006 est.)

under 15 years

1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.96 male(s)/female

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal and compulsory

Telephone system

domestic

microwave radio relay, coaxial cable, cellular, tropospheric scatter, and a domestic satellite system with 14 earth stations

general assessment

telecommunications system is being modernized; mobile cellular telephone system became operational in 1996

international

country code - 218; satellite earth stations - 4 Intelsat, NA Arabsat, and NA Intersputnik; submarine cables to France and Italy; microwave radio relay to Tunisia and Egypt; tropospheric scatter to Greece; participant in Medarabtel (1999)

Telephones - main lines in use

750,000 (2003)

Telephones - mobile cellular

234,800 (2004)

Television broadcast stations

12 (plus one low-power repeater) (1999)

Televisions

730,000 (1997)

Terrain

mostly barren, flat to undulating plains, plateaus, depressions

Total fertility rate

3.28 children born/woman (2006 est.)

Trafficking in persons

current situation

Libya is a transit and destination country for men, women, and children from sub-Saharan Africa and Asia trafficked for forced labor and sexual exploitation; many victims willingly migrate to Libya en route to Europe with the help of smugglers, but may be forced into prostitution or work as laborers and beggars to pay off their $800-$1,200 smuggling debt; laborers from Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia are reportedly trafficked to Libya for the purpose of labor exploitation

tier rating

Tier 2 Watch List - Libya is placed on the Tier 2 Watch List for its lack of evidence of increasing efforts to address trafficking since 2004 This page was last updated on 8 February, 2007

Unemployment rate

30% (2004 est.)