Tourism in Libya
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Tourism in Libya is an industry still in its infancy but one that is gradually growing. Annually, 130,000 travelers visit Libya. The country is best known for its ancient Greek and Roman ruins and Sahara desert landscapes. There are currently about 12,000 hotel rooms in Libya, a figure the government hopes to rise to 50,000.[1]
[edit] Tripoli
Known as Tarabulus in Arabic and Oea in antiquity, Tripoli is the de facto capital of Libya. Once known as the "White Bride of the Mediterranean", Tripoli has lost much of its allure, though its many historic mosques and medina retain a good deal of character. The Turkish and Italian colonial periods also left a distinctive mark on the city's architecture.
Easily the most dominant feature of Tripoli is the Red Castle, Assaraya al-Hamra , which sits on the northern promontory overlooking what used to be the sea - a motorway and 500m (1640ft) of reclaimed land now separate the two. The large structure comprises a labyrinth of courtyards, alleyways and houses built up over the centuries with a total area of around 13,000 sq metres (140,000 sq ft). Inside, there is evidence of all the city's (and thus the citadel's) ruling parties: the Turks, Karamanlis, Spaniards, Knights of Malta, Italians and several others who all left their presence in its arts and architecture.
The entrance to the Jamahiriya Museum is on Green Square, next to the castle. These facilities were built in consultation with UNESCO at enormous cost, and the exhibits within are laid out chronologically, starting with prehistory and ending up with the revolution. The most impressive parts are the mosaics, statues and artefacts from classical antiquity, which make up one of the best preserved collections in the Mediterranean.
The medina is the heart of Tripoli, providing the most visually exciting and the best shopping in the city for tourists. Unlike neghbouring countries, Libya is known for its lack of hassle in the souqs. The old walled city also contains virtually all of Tripoli's historic mosques, khans (inns), hammams and houses. Other nearby attractions include the city's zoo and many of the nearby beaches.
[edit] References
[MSNBC]
[edit] External links
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