LibyaTessa

__The Flag of Libya__

 * -All green**
 * -Green is a taditonal color**
 * of Islam.**

**Background**
Libya forms part of the vast Northern African Plateau extending from the Atlantic to the Red Sea. About 90% of the population lives in and around the coastal cities, especially Tripoli and Benghazi. Libya has one of the lowest population densities in the world, but the population growth is high, averaging 3.59 in 1997. Formerly an Italian colony until 1942, and later on under British and French control, the country gained its independence in 1951. Libya's economy is dominated by oil which contributes some 90% of the country's export earnings and approximately 30% of GDP. Agricultural activities are highly concentrated in the coastal area, and occupy over 13% of the total workforce. The UN sanction against Libya in 1992 following the suspected involvement of two Libyans in the Lockerbie aircraft bombing over Scotland has heavily damaged the economy leading to unemployment, increasing import costs and inflation, and decline of GDP. Long-term economic planning became virtually impossible, and major development projects had to be abandoned. The sanctions imposed against Libya in 1992 were lifted up as a result of the hand-over of the two suspects by the Libyan government to the International Court, The Hague, in early 1999. This is expected to bring about revival to the economy which is highly dependent on the sale of oils.

Geography
1.03%-arable land 98.78%-other
 * Location:** northern Africs, Bordering Egypt and Tunisia
 * Area:** 1,759,540 sq. km.
 * Climate:** Mediterraniean along coast, desert interior
 * Terrain:** Mostly barren, flat to undulating plains and plateaus
 * Natural Resources:** petroleum and natural gas
 * Land Use:** 0.19%-crops
 * Natural Hazards:** hot, dry, dust storms, sand storms
 * Environmental Issues:** limited natural fresh water resources

The People
Other 3% Other 3% Italian English
 * Population:** 6,324,357
 * Population Growth Rate:** 2.172%
 * Infant Mortality Rate:** 21.7 per 1000 births
 * Life Expectancy:** 77.29 years
 * Ethnic Groups:** Arab 97%
 * Religion:** Muslim 97%
 * Literacy:** 82.6%
 * Languages:** Arabic

Government

 * Type:** Jamaihirya (an authoritian state)
 * Capital:** Tripoli
 * Suffrage:** 18 years of age
 * Independence:** December 24, 1951

Economy
Industry 23% Services 59%
 * GDP Per Capita:** $13,400 (2009)
 * Labor Force by Occupation:** Agriculture 17%
 * Unemployment Rate:** 30%
 * Industries:** Petroleum, Petrochemicals, aluminum, iron, steel, food processing, textiling, cement
 * Exports-Commodities:** Crude oil, refined petroleum products, natural gas, and chemicals
 * Import-Commodities:** Machinery, semi-finished goods, food, transport equipment, sonsumer products
 * Agriculture Products:** Wheat, barley, olives, dates, citrus, vegetables, peanuts, soybeans, cattle
 * Exchange Rate:** (Libyan Dinars) per US dollar- 1.2641

Timeline

 * 1951-** Libya becomes independent under King Idris Al-Sanusi.
 * 1980-** Libyan troops start intervening on a large scale in civil war in northern Chad.
 * 1981-** US shoots down two Libyan aircraft which challenged its warplanes over the gulf of Sirte, claimed by Libya as its territorial water.
 * 1986-** US bombs Libyan military facilities, residential areas of Tripoli and Benghazi, killing 101 people, and Gaddafi's house, killing his adopted daughter. US says raids were in response to alleged Libyan involvement in bombing of Berlin disco frequented by US military personnel.
 * 1992-** UN imposes sanctions on Libya in an effort to force it to hand over for trial two of its citizens suspected of involvement in the blowing up of a PanAm airliner over the Scottish town of Lockerbie in December 1988.
 * 2000-** Dozens of African immigrants are killed by Libyan mobs in the west of Libya who were said to be angry at the large number of African labourers coming into the country.
 * 2002-** Libya and the US say they have held talks to mend relations after years of hostility over what the Americans termed Libya's sponsorship of terrorism.
 * 2003-** Libya is elected chairman of the UN Human Rights Commission despite opposition from the US and human rights groups.
 * 2006-** The US says it is restoring full diplomatic ties with Libya.
 * 2010-** Russia agrees to sell Libya weapons in a deal worth $1.8bn. The deal is thought to include fighter jets, tanks and air defence systems.