Terrain
Mostly barren, flat to undulating plains, plateaus, depressions.
GEO-POLITICAL SIGNIFICANCE (1:00)
Climate
Mediterranean along coast; dry, extreme desert interior.
People
Nationality: Libyan. Population: 6,002,347 (July 2013 est.). Language: Arabic (official), Italian, English (all widely understood in the major cities); Berber (Nafusi, Ghadamis, Suknah, Awjilah, Tamasheq).
Religions
Sunni Muslim (official) 97%, other 3%.
Economy
Libya's economy is structured primarily around the nation's energy sector. Substantial revenue from the energy sector coupled with a small population give Libya one of the highest per capita GDPs in Africa, but Tripoli largely has not used its significant financial resources to develop national infrastructure or the economy, leaving many citizens poor.
OPEC OIL EXPORTERS (1:05)
LARGEST MIDEAST OIL EXPORTERS (:51)
IMPACT OF CIVIL WAR ON OIL PRODUCTION (:25)
Living Conditions
Living conditions for most Libyans have improved in recent years. Housing shortages, however, continue to be a problem. The typical Libyan family lives in an apartment. Those who can afford them hang Persian carpets on the walls as decoration. It is common to have at least one sofa and a few embroidered floor cushions for seating. Some families can afford television sets. One-tenth of all families have cars, often Japanese.
Government
Operates under a transitional government.
US Military Presence/Support
Recognizing Libya's own substantial resources, the United States is committed to providing targeted assistance that advances primary U.S. goals: transparent, strong and accountable security sector institutions in Libya that protect the civilian population; effectively patrol the country’s vast borders; contribute to regional stability; and wrest control of weapons and vast swaths of land from extra-governmental militias. The United States also supports the creation of a democratic Libya th