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Liberia

Liberia, in West Africa, is a wonderful place to immerse yourself in the local culture. Liberia has a thriving music scene, known as hip co, which blends hip hop with colloquial Liberian English. Artists like Takun J, Santos, Mr. Smith, Soul Smiter, and Nasseman are popular. In the dry season, especially, concerts are regularly held at venues across the country.

Established and formed by the American Colonization Society (ACS) — an organisation which supported the migration of emancipated slaves to Africa from the United States — in the 19th century, Liberia was the first country to proclaim its independence during the Scramble for Africa.

Cities

 * — the capital, and Liberia's largest city with a population of around one million
 * — a coastal town with excellent surfing opportunities, a comfortable holiday lodge and a beachside campsite
 * — a port town near the Sapo National Park
 * — in the southeast of the country, Harper is known for its beautiful beaches and beach houses. Now these houses are dilapidated but it's still possible to get a sense of the glory of the past.
 * — a good spot for BASE jumping

Other destinations

 * — Liberia's sole national park.
 * – A mangrove island colonised by abandoned research lab chimpanzees
 * Blue Lake — 72 kilometres west of Monrovia, Liberia's capital, comes a natural wonder.
 * Providence Island — A tiny island between downtown Monrovia and the Freeport. It lies at the mouth of the Mesurado River where early settlers to Liberia first settled between 1820 and 1822.
 * Lake Piso — in Grand Cape Mount County and is a saltwater lake with an open connection to the Atlantic Ocean.
 * Atlantic Coastal Beaches — Bernard's Beach, CeCe Beach, ELWA Beach, Kendejah Beach, Kenema Beach, Thinkers Village Beach.

Understand
Liberia is a country with historical ties to the United States since it was founded by freed black slaves before the Underground Railroad, American Civil War era of the nineteenth century. The capital, Monrovia, was named after James Monroe. Liberia's flag closely resembles the American flag, reflecting the historical ties between the two countries.

History
Anthropological research shows the region of Liberia was inhabited at least as far back as the 12th century, perhaps earlier. Between 1461 and the late 17th century, Portuguese, Dutch and British traders had contacts and trading posts in Liberia. The Portuguese had named the area Costa da Pimenta, later translated as Grain Coast, because of the abundance of grains of melegueta pepper. In 1822 the American Colonization Society, which was the primary organization for returning former Caribbean slaves to greater freedom in Africa, established Liberia as a destination for those formerly enslaved. This movement of black people by the ACS had broad support nationwide among white people in America. While the institution of slavery in America grew, reaching almost four million slaves by the mid 1800s, a growing population in the U.S. chose to emigrate to Liberia as well. African-Americans gradually migrated to the colony and became known as Americo-Liberians, from whom many present day Liberians trace their ancestry. On 26 July 1847, Americo-Liberian settlers declared independence of the Republic of Liberia. The Americo-Liberians at that time soon formed a distinct upper class that dominated local politics and oppressed the native Africans for nearly a century.

Liberia retained its independence during the Scramble for Africa, but lost its claim to extensive territories that were annexed by Britain and France. Economic development was hindered by the decline of markets for Liberian goods in the late 19th century and by indebtedness on a series of loans, payments on which drained the economy.

William Tubman, an Americo-Liberian who became president in 1944, successfully secured American infrastructure investment by joining the Allied Power, and continued to attract foreign investment in Liberia. It was during his tenure that Liberia allowed foreign shipping companies to register their ships in Liberia, such that shipping companies may enjoy less taxation and regulation. Liberia continues to hold the world's second largest flag-of-convenience merchant ship registry. Liberia's economy flourished during the 1940s to the 1960s. Although his administration was authoritarian, Tubman also pursued a policy of national unification that aimed to reduce marginalization of the native Africans, though its effects were limited and simmering dissatisfaction continued.

On 12 April 1980, a successful military coup was staged by a group of non-commissioned army officers led by Master Sergeant Samuel Doe. The soldiers were a mixture of the various indigenous ethnic groups that claimed marginalization at the hands of the minority Americo-Liberian settlers, and the entire Liberian government leadership was wiped out by mass executions. Marred with incompetence and corruption, the newly-formed military junta quickly turned into a tyranny for almost a decade. Frequent political purges, even more frequent coup attempts and anti-government demonstrations and human sacrifice in the president's office were the norm in Liberia at that time.

In late 1989, the First Liberian Civil War began when warlord Charles Taylor staged an insurrection, dragging the country into a state of war to varying degrees and spreading to neighbouring countries like Sierra Leone. The war was devastating. Almost all infrastructure from the Tubman era was obliterated, illicit drug usage became widespread, and nearly 20,000 children were conscripted as child soldiers. Liberia is still recovering from the civil war that ended with a ceasefire in August 2003. Hampered with the nearly destroyed healthcare system, an outbreak of Ebola caused around 4,000 deaths in 2014. With an improving political situation, UN sanctions aiming to supress destabilization were lifted in 2016, and the UN peacekeeping mission in Liberia ended in 2018.

While the country is now on the mend, it has not yet redeveloped the necessary infrastructure to sustain a large increase in tourism, with little for the average visitor outside Monrovia. Towns like Buchanan and Ganta are little more than a collection of shanty houses with no decent hotels or food. Monrovia in general is calmer than the more far-flung areas although the situation countrywide is improving with the presence of UN Peacekeepers. Like in the rest of Africa, Chinese influence has also grown in Liberia in the 21st century, with substantial Chinese investment in Liberian infrastructure under the auspices of the Belt and Road initiative. Fear should not stop you enjoying your visit but act with caution. Travel outside Monrovia is very difficult and not advisable on your own.

Climate
The equatorial climate is hot year-round with heavy rainfall from May to October with a short interlude in mid-July to August. During the winter months of November to March dry dust-laden harmattan winds blow inland causing many problems for residents.

People
Liberia officially has 16 ethnic groups that make up the country's population of Kpelle, the largest group, Bassa, Gio, Kru, Grebo, Mandingo, Mano, Krahn, Gola, Gbandi, Loma, Kissa, Vai and Bella.

Americo-Liberians are the descendants of free-born and formerly enslaved African-Americans.

Culture
Liberia's cultural traditions have their roots to the antebellum American South during the 19th century. The country is rich in arts with skills of quilting.

Visa
As is the case with almost all countries in Africa, everyone needs a visa to enter the country.

Citizens of the following countries can visit the country without a visa: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Côte d'Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo.

A letter of invitation and a yellow fever vaccination certificate are necessary to apply for a Liberian visa. For US citizens, a 3-month visa costs US$131, for all others the fee is US$100. One, two & three year multiple-entry visas are also available. The embassy in Conakry has been moved out of town to the town of Kipe. At the Freetown embassy service is next day and no hassle. They will stamp the duration of your stay in your passport when travelling overland so be sure not to give too few days when they ask or else you will have to go to immigration office in Broad Street in Monrovia to extend your visa for US$20 (though they will probably ask for more).

All foreigners need to extend their visa within 30 days of arrival at the immigration office on Broad Street, regardless of visa validity.

It's easy to apply for a Liberian visa at the Liberian embassy in London. You don't need a letter of invitation, but you do need a yellow fever vaccination book, two passport size photographs, and a signed and completed application form. For more information check the embassy's website.

By plane
The country's only international airport is Roberts International Airport (often called Roberts International Airport or RIA), some 60 km from the city center of Monrovia at Robertsfield. The trip from the airport to the city was once infamous. Today, the situation has improved significantly with the restoration of peace and order. The road is now fully protected by UNMIL and safe.

Ethiopia Airlines has flights from Addis Ababa. Royal Air Maroc from Casablanca and Freetown. Brussels Airlines from Brussels and Freetown KLM from Amsterdam and Freetown. Kenyan Airways from Nairobi and Accra. Air Cote d'Ivoire from Abidjan. Arik Air from Freetown and Lagos.

By helicopter
By far the best way to travel, but helicopter flights are restricted to UN personnel. Poor weather in the rainy season often forces helicopters to return, especially from Voinjama.

By train
There is no real train service. One track, which had belonged to a mine, has been opened for tourists. It travels to the Bong mines, a massive, defunct ore-mining and processing plant once German-run.

By car
The roads linking Roberts Airport to Monrovia and from Monrovia to the Sierra Leone border at Bo (Waterside) are paved and in excellent condition as of February 2010. Road conditions in some other areas are poor, so a 4x4 may be necessary for travel. During the rainy season, travel times are increased dramatically. Traffic through Monrovia can be slow, due to numerous traffic bottlenecks and damaged sections of road. Gas is sold in US gallons, not litres. Most distances and speed limits are posted in miles per hour.

By bus
There are no long distance buses for tourists. A few buses for public travel are usable for travel under the National Transit Authority (NTA) guidance with their main terminal in the Gardnerville suburb. An inter-city transportation is ongoing to cities like: Buchanan, Gbarnga, Tubmanburg, Kakata & Robertsport; with plans to extend to cities like Zwedru, Ganta, and Bopolu. Tourist coaches are arranged for chartered express. The NTA criss-crosses Monrovia by providing transportation to suburbs and the downtown area. Also private buses serve the suburbs and the central business district including: Lizard company & individual transportations. Be careful how you board buses and avoid rushing to get on-board because thieves, locally called "rogue", take advantage to steal. Stand in the queue at bus stops & terminals. Buses are also overloaded with passengers, so bring a fan along or sit near a window.

By taxi
The best way to get around Monrovia. Most Monrovia taxis on the streets will pick up several passengers en route, and are therefore often jam-packed. Ask people you trust if they know of a reliable taxi driver to contact, as getting robbed in a taxi is a possibility. If you are unable to find one, consider hiring a taxi to your destination for your own use exclusively.

Long distance shared taxis leave from "Douala Station" in a northern suburb of Monrovia for destinations around the country. They are typically older yellow Nissan station wagons that leave when 10 passengers have purchased tickets. Fares for shared taxis are reasonable.

Alternatively, a "charter" taxi can be arranged for individual travel at a much higher price.

By boat
You can board a boat from the St. Paul River to Robertport other destinations will be made available soon.

Talk
Liberia is a multilingual country where more than thirty languages are spoken. The official language is English, with Kreyol - an English-based pidgin language - serving as the lingua franca in Liberia's interior. English is spoken by most Liberians but, especially if you are travelling to more remote areas, a local guide will be useful.

See

 * 'Blo Degbo' Human face rock in Paynesville, near Monrovia (Note: this is not a developed tourist destination, so make sure it is a safe place to visit)
 * Rain forests are usually found in remote areas, most are unique and have many attractive features, but on the other hand some are risky because of their wildlife.

There are plenty of beaches around Monrovia. Out towards the airport after ELWA junction is ELWA beach. Set inside a compound there is a marked safe swimming area, a clean beach and plenty of families at the weekends, though without facilities. Further on is Thinkers (pronounced Tinkers) with a food and drinks service, though the waves are a bit rough here, and it is not safe to walk up or down the beach too far. CE CE beach out the other way, over the bridge out to Hotel Africa is very well set up with palm umbrellas, drinks service and a buffet, and a well protected swimming area.

For an interesting day trip, Robertsport offers a glimpse of Liberia's cultural history as well as clean, beautiful beaches. A group of South Africans has set up a tent camp for those wishing to spend the night on the beach and the UN also offers accommodations on a first-come basis. Beware the strong tides.

The city of Buchanan, a several hour car ride from Monrovia, also offers sublime beaches and a selection of restaurants and guest houses.

Do
Liberia has several nightclubs. While places like Deja Vu cater to a largely expat crowd, explore places more popular with locals. 146 on Carey Street features Liberian music, freestyle sessions, and live performances from Liberia's most popular musicians.

Money
The currency of the country is the Liberian dollar, denoted by the symbol "$" or "L$" (ISO currency code: LRD). It is divided into 100 cents.

Coins of Liberia are issued in denominations of L$5 and L$10. Banknotes of Liberia are issued in denominations of L$5, L$10, L$20, L$50, L$100, L$500 and L$1,000.

Banking
There are limited ways to use credit cards. Bring US dollars in cash with you (most transactions at Western businesses are done in US dollars) or transfer money through Moneygram or Western Union. Ecobank on Randall Street is used by many foreigners. If someone gives you Liberian dollars in change, accept it because it will be useful to have some on hand for very small purchases, but once you have a little, be sure to get dollars back (except when your change is less than a dollar, they use local currency in lieu of coins).

All Ecobank ATMs in Liberia take Mastercard/Visa card for cash withdrawal.

Liberia can be very expensive or very inexpensive for a tourist depending on what amenities you want.

Shopping
Liberia is well known for its beautiful masks. Masks are on sale around hotels and UN centres. After haggling, they will cost about L$25 (depending on the size, etc.)

There is beautiful printed fabric in Liberia. It is sold in lapas (usually 2), one lapa is 2 yards. 3 lapas of the best quality, real wax, will cost about L$15. There are a series of modern and technological Supermarkets or malls: the Abi Jaoudi, Xclusive superstore, located downtown, the ERA Mall, Stop n Shop, Payless Center & the Sinkor Xclusive, all in the Sinkor Suburb, & the Save Way Supermarket at the ELWA Junction. The Sinkor Suburb is lined with top hotels & restaurants and has become Monrovia's new mid-town.

Eat
Eating Liberian food can be enjoyable and inexpensive. Liberian meals like palm butter, cassava leaf, potato greens, chock rice, and jollof's rice will barely leave a dent in your budget (US$2-3 with a non-alcoholic drink). Portions are usually enormous. Another popular local dish is fufu (fermented dough made from the cassava plant) and soup (the most common are goat soup and pepper soup). And for those who like to eat on the go, fruit and snacks can be bought from street vendors throughout Monrovia. Peanuts, fried plantain chips, roasted ears of corn or plantains, bananas, mangos, and other fruits cost L$5-20 (or US$0.10-0.30). Especially delicious are the various breads sold freshly baked in the morning. Some breads resemble banana bread, other breads are more like corn bread. All are delicious although somewhat oily.

Drink
Club beer is the staple drink, served everywhere. Local gin is also available.

Bagged water is sold on most street corners. While it is supposed to be filtered and safe, it is not guaranteed to be. Stick with bottled water to be sure. You can buy bottled water at any supermarket, restaurant, or at the Total gas stations.

Sleep
Usually hotels are considered quite safe as the owners will employ guards. However, don't be complacent and make sure that you are aware of your security also in the hotels. Be prepared to pay your entire bill in cash (US dollars).

Learn
There aren't that many learning opportunities in Liberia. It is, as a matter of fact, a real struggle for the locals to get a good education in Liberia.

The civil war adversely affected the country's educational system, and many schools lack adequate learning facilities. Corruption is a major problem in the educational sector and it has been well documented by international organisations.

Work
Almost every international NGO operates in Liberia. It is quite possible to find voluntary (unpaid) work here, if you are willing to stay for a bit. Paid work is almost exclusive through international organisations. Most of these organisations require foreign staff to be recruited abroad, so it is unlikely that you would be hired just because you’re in Liberia.

Liberia has very high rates of unemployment. If you are in the country for longer, try to encourage local production and employment by buying local goods and paying for services.

Stay safe
Do not walk around at night, and make sure that your car doors are locked when you drive around. Thieves will often reach into a car when stopped and grab whatever they can, so keep the glass up especially in busy areas of Monrovia (redlight). Rape and armed robbery are common and on the rise. Hotels, etc. have private guards and are rather safe.

There are some gangs of former combatants, armed with machetes and sometimes guns, who walk around poorer areas of Monrovia (Redlight). There are also former combatants in the Palm Grove Cemetery on Center Street. Do not walk there alone at all.

The corner of Randall and Carey is also considered dangerous and supposedly a hang-out for drug dealers.

Avoid any desolate places, and stay in groups.

Keep an eye on the locals, if they are carrying on as normal and you see plenty of women and children about, it is unlikely that there will be major sources of concern. If, however, people have disappeared from a usually busy location, or you find yourself surrounded only by youths, you should try to make a hasty retreat.

UNMIL has calmed the country (in general) but it is already now anticipated that when UNMIL leaves the security situation will be worse.

It is advisable to inform your embassy that you are in the country in case of evacuation.

Furthermore, learn as much about the security situation as you can. Locals are a key source of information. Be careful, however, not to believe everything you hear. Rumours spread like wildfire in Monrovia as they are the main source of news although details are often inaccurate.

Local newspapers are interesting reads. Daily Observer has the largest circulation but there are also several others. You can buy them in the street.

Female travellers
Rape is on the increase so be hesitant to walk by yourself in previously unknown or remote areas. Men on the whole will treat women with respect. They may tell you how beautiful you are, that they "love you" or ask you to marry them (more for the status rather than the money), but will not grab hold of you or be in any way improper.

Stay healthy
HIV, while still low, is on the increase. Prostitution is rampant.

Typhoid, malaria, and worms are very common. In general Liberia is a hotbed for infectious diseases so disinfectants and gels are advisable (especially as handshakes are the norm).

There are few doctors usable by international visitors so getting medical help may pose problems. There is apparently a Jordanian wing at the Kennedy hospital for private patients. MSF will also see foreigners, but only in dire cases.

Bagged water is sold on most street corners. While it is supposed to be filtered and safe, it is not guaranteed to be. Stick with bottled water to be sure. You can buy bottled water at any supermarket, restaurant, or at the Total gas stations.

Liberia experienced a terrible Ebola outbreak in 2014 and 2015 but was declared completely Ebola-free. However, there has been a single case of the disease afterwards.

Respect
It is customary to always greet people wherever you go. Liberians don't take kindly to being ignored and will call you "rude". Word tends to get around quite quickly in Liberia, and the locals will often warn you of security threats if they know you and know that you are approachable.

Don't assume the worst in people; just because Liberia has a lot of social and political problems doesn't mean that every Liberian is alike. By being a bit open-minded, you'll find that almost all Liberians are friendly, sociable, and approachable.

Do not be too direct with your words; Liberians are quite sensitive to being beckoned directly. If you absolutely must discuss personal or sensitive matters, temper your words with a degree of diplomacy and respect.

Saying "no" directly to requests is considered rude, which is why Liberians may often pester you until you give in. Instead, say something along the lines of "later", "tomorrow", "I'll try", or "I'll see what I can do".

Liberia is one of the poorest countries in the world. Many Liberians live in poverty and are barely able to make ends meet. As a tourist, you may be asked by people to give money or gifts. Giving money to the elderly or the physically challenged will not go amiss, but bear in mind that you could be encouraging people (unintentionally) to be dependent on foreign visitors and this, in turn, could give people more of a reason to harass and pester tourists like you. If you really want to make a difference in the community, it is recommended that you go to local schools or volunteer with local NGOs.

Most people in Monrovia, with the exception of internally displaced people, are relatively well-off in Liberian terms. The worst conditions are in the countryside, where help is also most needed.

It is advisable to bring some business cards. They are given out at every function.

Avoid discussing the Liberian Civil Wars; they can very easily bring up bad memories for people.

Connect
Liberia has made a giant leap into the digital age with the arrival of many mobile phone companies; like Lonestar/MTN Cell (the nation's largest mobile company), Cellcom, Comium, Libercell formerly AWI (Atlantic Wireless Inc) and the government owned Libtelco. Mobile phone usage is the leading medium of contact to the outside with some (Lonestar and Cellcom) offering GPRS/internet modem usage. So when you arrive, visiting or staying, you need a GSM mobile phone. You will need to purchase a GSM SIM card (US$1) and prepaid recharge cards (most commonly in denominations of US$1 and US$5), called "Scratch Card" locally. The only exception is Libtelco, that is done by paying monthly bills. Landlines are used only at offices. It is managed & owned by the government also, Libtelco.

The most common access to the internet is by GPRS/HSPA+ or restaurants, pubs, bars and hotels that offer free internet services to customers or for a small charge. With the installation of the undersea fiber-optic cable in November 2012 internet access is much improved. GPRS/HSPA USB adapters are commonly available from the mobile companies for US$50-60, with data plans ranging from US$1/hr or $0.12/MB to USD125/mo for unlimited data and up to 21MBps (1-2MBps is realistic on HSPA+).

Postal services
DHL operates in Liberia. Expedited Mail Service promises 5 day delivery to the US. EMS counter is at the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunication on MacDonald Street.

The regular post office has just started to operate. The post office is at the very end of Randall Street by Waterside market. Post cards will cost L$30 to send, and will probably arrive at their destination. Packages are packed on the premises.

To receive mail, you must get a locked box together with a P.O. box number at the Randall Street post office. Do not send anything of value through the Liberian postal service. Many people have reported items being stolen while at the post office; in Liberia the postal system is new and very corrupt.

title: Liberia


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Liberia (Costa Rica)

Liberia is the capital city of the Guanacaste province of Costa Rica. It is located about 220 km (138 mi) Northwest San Jose.

After Mexico's War of Independence from Spain, the settlement of Guanacaste, as Liberia was known then, transitioned from being a town in the Partido de Nicoya of the Federal Republic of Central America to being part of Nicaragua and then Costa Rica. Even though this happened later than the annexation of the rival town of Nicoya on July 25th, 1824, Liberia celebrates that day annually as it became the primary settlement of the Guanacaste province.

Liberia's economy centers around agriculture and tourism with the nearby coast and volcanic regions. Even though precipitation is relatively less than other parts of Costa Rica, it can still feel sweltering with an average temperature of 27 degrees Celsius.

By plane

There is an exit tax that must be paid on international departures. You can pay by credit card, but it will be recorded as a cash advance with higher fees.

By bus
A large public bus network services Liberia and connects it with San Jose, the beaches and the Nicaraguan border. From the only stop light in town along the Pan American Highway, go 300 meters north and turn right. There is the Pulmitan de Liberia bus stop with buses going to San José (US$5), and the Terminal Municipal 2 blocks away that will take you to Guanacaste beaches and the Nicaragua border.

Centrocoasting.com is a very useful website for navigating the region by bus. Here you can check the bus schedules from the Municipal Terminal and from Pulmitan Station

By car
Liberia is at the cross section of the Interamericana that stretches throughout Central America and the Route 21 that heads to famous beaches such as Tamarindo.

Get around
Public bus or on foot. Liberia is a small city where everything you are likely to wish to see is within walking distance.

Eat
There are several different options of restaurants in the area, ranging from American fast food chains to local food restaurants like Guanaburger. There are lots of "sodas" (small local restaurants) around Downtown Liberia that serve Costa Rican food, and also several bakeries including Musmanni and Panaderia Alemana (German Bakery).

At the intersection of the two main roads
In this area are chain restaurants like McDonald's, Taco Bell, KFC and Burger King.

Drink

 * LIB is a second story bar in the Plaza Santa Rosa. Modern design and sometimes modern music.

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: Liberia (Costa Rica)


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Liberia (disambiguation)

There is more than one place called Liberia:

 * Liberia - A country in West Africa.

Costa Rica

 * Liberia (Costa Rica) - the capital of the Guanacaste region.

title: Liberia (disambiguation)


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Liberty

There is more than one place called Liberty:

Canada

 * Liberty (Saskatchewan) - A town in Saskatchewan.

Philippines

 * Liberty (Philippines) - A town in the Philippines.

United States of America

 * Liberty (Missouri) - A town in Missouri.

 * Liberty (Texas) - A town in Texas.
 * Liberty (Indiana) - A town in Indiana.
 * Liberty (Kentucky) - A town in Kentucky.
 * Liberty (North Carolina) - A town in North Carolina.
 * Liberty (South Carolina) - A town in South Carolina.
 * Liberty (New York) - A town in New York (state).
 * Liberty (Pennsylvania) - A town in Pennsylvania.
 * Liberty (Alabama) - A town in Alabama.
 * Liberty (Arkansas) - A town in Arkansas.
 * Liberty (Florida) - A town in Florida.

title: Liberty


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Libertyville

Libertyville is a village and township in Far North Suburbs of the Chicagoland region.

Get in
By car, Libertyville can be reached from the Rockland Road and Buckley Road exits off of I-94. It's about 45 minutes from Chicago and about an hour from Milwaukee.

Libertyville is on the Milwaukee District North Line of the Metra commuter rail system--the Chicago-to-Fox-Lake route. The train ride to or from Chicago takes a little more than an hour.

Get around
Compared to other suburban towns of similar size, Libertyville is fairly well-served by public transportation.

Buy
Libertyville is well-known for car shopping; many Chicagolanders who know nothing else about the town can tell you that it's "a beautiful place in the country," thanks to a car dealer's long-running jingle. The car dealerships are found in a long strip along Milwaukee Avenue.

Go next
Libertyville is convenient to Lake Forest, Waukegan, and the Six Flags Great America amusement park in Gurnee.

title: Libertyville


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Librazhd

Librazhd is the name of a town and district in Albania. It is in the central east of Albania between Elbasan and Pogradec

Get in
Librazhd sits between the cities of Elbasan and Pogradec, and is also on the road between Tirana and North Macedonia.

If you are traveling from Tirana to Librazhd you can take the bus or minibus at the South-East Terminal on the way to Elbasan road from 12:15 until 14:00 every day.

It is also possible to travel from Tirana to Librazhd by taking any Korça, Qafë-Thanë, Pogradec, Bilisht, or Erseke-bound bus or minibus. Similarly, to travel to Tirana you can often take minibuses and buses coming from these locations.

Bus rides to Librazhd are 250 lek, while minibus (furgon) rides will cost 400 lek.

Get around
Librazhd is a fairly small city, so you can travel quite easily on foot.

See

 * Shebenik-Jabllanice National Park . The park contains a number of wild flora and fauna as well as a number of rare and endemic plants and mountains over 2,200 meters.

Do
Visit the bazaar on Saturdays and Mondays behind the Taçi gas station

Buy
Market Luani has products from all over Europe and products from the United States at extremely low prices. The owner is extremely friendly and nice and the store has a friendly atmosphere. The store is down the stairs from the Albanian Post Office on the stairs on the left hand side of the building.

Drink
There are several bars or as native people call them lokale are spread all over the city centre. People enjoy their time by spending their afternoons and having mostly coffee, types of tea. One of the places where you can have a good cup of coffee at near by the river of Shkumbin called Bar-Restaurant Sopoti. On the other side of Sopoti you can also visit Emiljano or Corner One.

Go next

 * Elbasan
 * Pogradec
 * Korçë
 * Tiranë

title: Librazhd


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Libreville

Libreville is Gabon's largest city and capital. It is a port city of 703,904 (2013) that is home to one third of the country's population.

By train
Libreville is the terminus of the Trans-Gabon railway, connecting with Franceville in the interior of the country. There are overnight services at least three times per week with a journey time of about 12 hours for the full length. The railway station, is about  south of the city centre, near the port.

Get around
The best way to get around in Libreville if you don't have a car are taxis. For a trip from point A to B the fare is negotiated with the driver depending on the distance. Fares will double after 21:00. From or to the airport 2000 FCFA, or 4000 FCFA after 21:00. (1000 FCFA = €1.5, 10 000 FCFA = €15). Taxis are less expensive when shared or for short distances (100 to 500 FCFA). You can usually pay 1000 FCFA in the day or 2000 FCFA to not share the taxi and travel a substantial distance (15-minute drive). The cars are not very secure (broken doors, no seatbelts), but if you insist on careful driving, the chauffeurs will try to oblige. Mini-buses (similar to taxis) are also available for longer routes. Klandos are yellow taxis that shuttle back and forth along the backroads on a fixed route. They cost 100 FCFA no matter the distance.

If you can afford it (expensive by European standards), you can rent a car with Avis or Europcar. You will not be allowed to leave the town by rented car. Do not expect to arrive at the airport (especially on Sundays and possibly also outside normal business hours (which includes siesta from 12:00 to 15:00)) and find car rental agencies open - pre-arrange! AVIS may be contacted on scavacas@cfao.com@undefined or. While it is reasonably easy by African standards to drive a car yourself in Libreville (provided you know your way around - buy a Gabon guide with maps at the newspaper shop to the right of the international check-in hall), it may not be a very cost-effective solution if you don't plan on moving around a lot. Driving in Libreville is not too hard, but the traffic police are corrupt and will use any excuse to stop and extract an 'amende' for a fabricated violation.

Talk
In general do not expect people to speak English (except for some immigrant taxi drivers from West Africa). The official and most spoken language is French.

See
Libreville's greatest asset is, probably, the seafront (bord de mer) where people gather daily to relax by the Atlantic Ocean. All along the seafront you will find some Gabonese sculptures (some are 20 feet tall!) looking over the beach.

You could also go in Nzeng-ayong to see the Arboretum de Sibang which is a huge tree sanctuary inside Libreville which groups thousands of local species. (But make sure in advance that somebody will be there to open the gate. Once you are inside apply a huge amount of anti mosquito cream on your skin before entering the woods. The people there will remind you - they are very helpful).

The centre ville is also a nice area to visit, in which you are able to enjoy the nearby ocean breeze.

Do
Libreville is a place where people are very laid back and take things slowly. Don't worry about time and plans, and enjoy the city. There is not an exhaustive list of things to do. It is a true multicultural town; its people are very welcoming and will show you the true aspects of the city. The Centre Culturel Français (next to Mbolo, the main supermarket) has a cinema and also hosts occasional expositions and concerts. If you'd like to relax on a nice deserted beach, you could go to the Cap Esterias where there's a Arboretum de Reponda Walker or to Cap Santa Clara, about 30 minutes by car from Libreville. The latter place can be reached by car during the dry season. During the rainy seasons one would need a real 4x4 to get there. The Pointe Denis is another popular spot. It is a peninsula across the bay, close to Libreville. The boat trip takes 25 minutes and cost €15-20 (10 000-15 000 FCFA) from the Michel Marine (Navette "Orangina") or Port Mole, Navettes "Beaufort", "Castel" and "Internet". The beach there is beautiful, with a stunning view of Libreville's seafront.

Buy
The city centre is great for shopping, yet surprisingly expensive. Mbolo is the main shopping centre, housing a Géant Casino (large French supermarket) and a large pharmacy as well as other shops. Other supermarkets include the Géant Ckdo on the Bord de mer, and Prix Import close by. CK2 next to the Casino Croisette sells whiteware (fridges etc.) as well as household tools, TVs, etc. In the same area, you'll find the Marché Artisanal where Senegalese merchants sell African instruments, jewellery, clothes, paintings, etc. If you want to see the authentic African side of Libreville, you should go to the gigantic Marché Mont-Bouet. There are bargains a-plenty - but keep an eye on your valuables.

Eat
Eating at any good restaurant ends up costing from US$24 for the meal and drinks. Not cheap but it is usually worth it! There are some high end restaurants that can be compared to the best restaurants in Western metropolises. The standard of quality in cheaper restaurants is high. Try one of the three Papa Union restaurants. The main road leading up into the Louis area (from the seafront near Jeanne Eboli Hospital) has a good range of restaurants and clubs.

The good thing about Libreville is that you can eat salad in the restaurants, and there is no need to be afraid of the ice cubes in your drink. The tap water is absolutely ok. Do not try that in any other African city. L'Emir has very good Lebanese food and the owners are friendly.

Drink
The local beer, the awarded Régab, is very good. Beaufort and Castel are OK, if you are not too demanding. The local lemonade, Djino, has many artificial flavours, so many people prefer Orangina, which is really made from fruits, has no additives nor preservatives and less sugar. Imported goods (wine/spirits) are widely available, if you are prepared to pay.

Clubs, restaurants and bars in the Louis area come to life at night.

Elsewhere:

The city is pretty lively at night so get out and enjoy.

Sleep
For a coastal city, there are very few hotels or guest houses next to the ocean. Most beaches are in front of private residences and are not accessible. Tropicana is on the beach (see below).

 * Hotel Re-Ndama. Is at the far end of town if you come from the airport. Allow for about an hour ride during traffic jams (12:00-13:00 and 15:00-18:00. They have a free gym and is a bit more English-friendly (more TV channels, etc.)
 * Le Dorian/Hotel Leet. These two hotels are owned by the same French owner. They are located behind the old Komo Cinema in the Montagne Sainte neighborhood. Le Dorian has very good value rooms (newly renovated, cost around 50,000 CFA per night). The staff is friendly too.
 * Hôtel Lotus Bleu. Good mid-range hotel in Montagne Sainte (close to, but not within easy walking distance, from restaurants and Mbolo Shopping Centre) comparable to a good budget-airline: you get good clean basics (bed, bathroom, A/C, TV, empty fridge, free WiFi) and no further luxuries. Good value for money at 35,000 CFA or about €50 (2010) per night. Quite strict about checking out at 12:00 the following day if later check-out not pre-arranged. Contact them on +241 1 77 81 85.

Go next
You could try Akanda National Park occupying the peninsula to the north of Gabon, with its diverse array of flora and fauna including fish and birds and thick mangroves. Boat tours can be arranged to tour the park and also stop at a beach like Cap Esterias, hopefully without getting eaten alive by mosquitoes.

title: Libreville


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Libya

Libya (Arabic: ليبيا, Libiya) is a country in the Maghreb region of North Africa and a part of the Arab world. Although the country is rich in history and culture and has great tourism potential, the country has been in the news for all the wrong reasons since the 1960s. Since the 2010s, the country has been in a state of flux and is rather dangerous to travel to.

However, under less extreme circumstances, this vast country has a lot to offer to the adventurous, thrill-seeking traveller, from deserts to historical ruins from various historical periods. Libya is a difficult country to get around, but the rewards for the persistent visitor are unforgettable.

If you do decide to visit, know that there's a lot to do and see in Libya; in fact, you might be showered with a lot of hospitality and care, even if you unintentionally make a few cultural blunders.

Cities

 * (طرابلس) — the capital and largest city of Libya. The traveller's main entry point.
 * (بنغازي) — the largest city of Cyrenaica and the second largest of the country
 * (غدامس) — an oasis town with a large Berber population. The old part of the town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
 * (سبها) — an oasis city approximately 640 km (400 mi) south of Tripoli
 * (شحات) — Ancient city of Cyrene, a World Heritage site, is nearby
 * (سِرْت) — the birthplace of Muammar Gaddafi, Libya's longtime ruler.
 * (طبرق) — harbour town with World War II cemeteries
 * (زوارة) — a port city in the northwest not far from the Tunisian border
 * (مصراتة) — Libya's commercial hub

Other destinations

 * — small former Bedouin village on a wonderful oasis, around 150 km west of Sabha
 * — an ancient settlement in the south west with prehistoric rock paintings and very challenging desert trekking
 * Green Mountain
 * — extensive Roman ruins
 * Nafusa mountains
 * – a UNESCO World Heritage Site on the Mediterranean coast in northwestern Libya.

Politics and government
Libya is officially known as the State of Libya (Arabic: دولة ليبيا; Dawlat Libiya).

Until 2011, the country was known as the Great Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya (Arabic: الجماهيرية العربية الليبية الشعبية الإشتراكية العظمى; al-Jamāhīrīyah al-'Arabīyah al-Lībīyah ash-Sha'bīyah al-Ishtirākīyah al-'Uẓmá).

Geography
Libya is a large desert nation, covering nearly 1,800,000 km2 of land. This makes it the world's 16th-largest country and Africa's 4th-largest country. Libya is slightly larger than Alaska, the largest state of the United States of America and nearly 160 times larger than Gambia, the smallest country in Africa.

Libya has a population of nearly 7 million people, making it one of the most sparsely populated countries in the world. The country's northern parts are densely populated, while the southern parts are virtually barren, poorly developed, and uninhabited.

Ancient history

Archaeological evidence indicates that from as early as 8,000 BC, the coastal plain of Ancient Libya was inhabited by a Neolithic people, the Berbers, who were skilled in the domestication of cattle and the cultivation of crops. Later, the area known in modern times as Libya was also occupied by a series of other peoples, with the Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Greeks, Persian Empire, Romans, Vandals, Arabs, Turks and Byzantines ruling all or part of the area.

Italian colonial era
From 1912 to 1927, the territory of Libya was known as Italian North Africa. From 1927 to 1934, the territory was split into two colonies, Italian Cyrenaica and Italian Tripolitania, run by Italian governors. During the Italian colonial period, between 20% and 50% of the Libyan population died in the struggle for independence, and some 150,000 Italians settled in Libya, constituting roughly one-fifth of the total population.

In 1934, Italy adopted the name "Libya" (used by the Greeks for all of North Africa, except Egypt) as the name of the colony (made up of the three provinces of Cyrenaica, Tripolitania and Fezzan). King Idris I, Emir of Cyrenaica, led Libyan resistance to Italian occupation between the two world wars. Following Allied victories against the Italians and Germans, Tripolitania and Cyrenaica were under British administration, from 1943 to 1951, while the French controlled Fezzan. In 1944, Idris returned from exile in Cairo but declined to resume permanent residence in Cyrenaica until the removal of some aspects of foreign control in 1947. Under the terms of the 1947 peace treaty with the Allies, Italy relinquished all claims to Libya.

Kingdom of Libya
After gaining independence from Italy in the 1950s, Libya became a constitutional monarchy headed by King Idris. Under his reign, Libya espoused a pro-Western foreign policy and forged close ties with the United States and the United Kingdom. Libya's first-ever university was established in Tripoli, and Libya became a member state of the United Nations and the Arab League.

The discovery of large oil reserves in 1959 brought considerable wealth to the country and enabled Libya to transition to a wealthy country from one of the world's poorest countries. However, much of the oil wealth fell into the hands of Idris' inner circle, which strengthened negative sentiments towards the Libyan monarchy.

Libya under Muammar al-Gaddafi
By the 1960s, the Libyan monarchy became increasingly unpopular. More and more Libyans grew convinced that the Libyan monarchy was highly corrupt, inefficient at governing the country effectively, and weak. The rise of pan-Arab nationalism in the Middle East also contributed to negative sentiments towards the Libyan monarchy.

On September 1, 1969, a group of military officers led by Muammar Gaddafi − who was 27 years old and a captain in the Libyan army at the time − overthrew King Idris in a bloodless coup d’état. Having taken power, Gaddafi abolished the monarchy, kicked out Western military bases, deported the country's Italian population, and proclaimed the new Libyan Arab Republic, which was a military dictatorship in disguise.

In the late 1970s, Libya became known as the Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya and Gaddafi styled himself as the 'Brotherly Leader and Guide of the Revolution'. This was a significant change, as it marked Libya's transition from a republic to an Islamic socialist state based on Gaddafi's personal political beliefs and philosophies.

The Gaddafi regime made a host of reforms, directing funds toward providing education, healthcare and housing for all, passing laws of equality of the sexes, criminalising child marriage and insisting on wage parity, although it also brutally put down all signs of dissent and promoted a cult of personality. Per capita income in the country rose to the fifth highest in Africa. Gaddafi engaged in support of, as he put it, "anti-imperialist and anti-colonial movements". During the 1980s and 1990s, Libya supported rebel movements such as ANC, PLO and the Polisario.

In early 2011, as part of the Arab Spring that attempted to turn the Arab countries into liberal democracies, the authority of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya government was challenged by protesters, leading to a civil war, where NATO-led forces intervened with air strikes, military training and material support to the rebels.

On 20 October 2011 Muammar Gaddafi was killed by elements of the National Transition Council following his capture on a roadside in his hometown of Sirte. On 23 October the liberation of Libya was pronounced by the National Transition Council.

Present history
After 2011, Libya soon entered a civil war due to the disputes between the several armed groups that gained power during the insurrection. In September 2012, an attack of the Ansar al-Shariah extremist group on the U.S. embassy resulted in the death of the American ambassador and other public officers. In April 2016, U.S. president Barack Obama said that failing to prepare Libya for the aftermath of the ousting of Gaddafi was "the worst mistake of his presidency".

Libya remains deeply politically and economically unstable. Until March 2021, there were two rival governments: the Government of National Accord (internationally recognised), based in Tripoli, which controlled most of the West of the country, and the Council of Representatives, based in Tobruk, which controlled most of the east. These two governments, however, had limited control over the territory, a large part of it being effectively ruled by tribal warlords and extremist groups such as ISIS and Ansar al-Shariah.

A ceasefire took effect in October 2020, and the Government of National Unity assumed power from the rival governments. The main groups agreed to elections being held on 24 Dec 2021, but the elections have been delayed, as of May 2022 to the end of 2022.

There are hundreds of thousands of displaced people and food shortages are commonplace. Slavery has also made a return since the ousting of Gaddafi, with numerous slave markets now operating openly in various parts of the country.

Religion
Islam is the dominant religion in the country, practised by approximately 97% of the population. Most Libyans are Sunni Muslims.

Christianity is the second largest religion in the country, practised by approximately 2.7% of the population. Most Christians are followers of the Coptic Church.

Buddhism is practised by 0.3% of the population and it is believed that Libya has the largest Buddhist population in North Africa.

At some point in history, Libya was home to one of the oldest Jewish communities in the world and it is believed that Judaism came to Libya sometime during 400–300 BC. During World War II and the Gaddafi years, many Libyan Jews fled the country in search of a better life elsewhere.

Climate
Within Libya as many as five different climatic zones have been recognised, but the dominant climatic influences are Mediterranean and Saharan. In most of the coastal lowland, the climate is Mediterranean, with warm summers and mild winters. Rainfall is scanty. The weather is cooler in the highlands, and frosts occur at maximum elevations. In the desert interior the climate has very hot summers and extreme diurnal temperature ranges.

Entry requirements
Libya is a very difficult country to access, mainly because its immigration requirements are notoriously perplexing. The Libyan government has a history of changing its immigration rules frequently and without warning.

The government officially launched an e-Visa system on 21 March 2024.

Tourism requirements
Visitors travelling to Libya for tourism are required to convert US$1,000, or equivalent, in freely convertible cash or debit the amount from a valid credit card upon arrival. Failure to do so will result in you being denied entry. There are, however, a few exceptions to this rule:
 * 1) Those travelling as part of a guided tour.
 * 2) Those who have been sponsored by a Libyan citizen.

Entry bans
Citizens of Israel, Bangladesh, Iran, Pakistan, Yemen, Sudan and Syria are banned from entering Libya.
 * The Libyan government appears to be convinced that Bangladeshi citizens regularly abuse Libyan immigration rules just so that they can emigrate to Europe from Libya.
 * The Libyan government appears to be convinced that Sudan and Syria are involved in "undermining" Libya’s security and sovereignty.
 * The Libyan government appears to be convinced that Iranian, Yemeni, and Pakistani citizens often join Islamic terror groups.
 * Due to the Arab-League boycott of Israel, citizens of Israel and those who have visited Israel are forbidden from entering the country.

Special requirements
If you are a citizen of the United States, you are required to be sponsored by a Libyan company before coming to Libya.

By plane
Most visitors normally enter Libya by plane.

Ever since the civil war began, air operations have become quite unreliable as airports are repeatedly closed and opened again depending on the level of violence in the area.

The Benina International Airport,, (Arabic: مطار بنينة الدولي) is in the town of Benina, 19 km east of Benghazi.

Libya has several other airports, but many of them may remain closed:

 * Bayda, La Abraq Airport—
 * Ghadames, Ghadames Airport—
 * Ghat, Ghat Airport—
 * Al Jawf, Kufra Airport—
 * Sabha, Sabha Airport—
 * Sirte, Gardabya Airport—
 * Tobruk, Tobruk Airport—
 * Ubari, Ubari Airport—

By train

There have been no operational railways in Libya since 1965. There are plans to establish an extensive rail network, but work on it has been halted due to the fluid security and political situation.

By car
Libya shares borders with six countries: Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt, Chad, Niger, and Sudan.

For travel to Libya overland, there are bus and "shared taxi" (accommodating 6 people in a station wagon) services from such places as Tunis, Alexandria, Cairo and Djerba.

There are accounts of people having done the trip in their own 4x4s or using their own dirt bikes and campervans. There are very few border posts open to travel into the country with a foreign car: Ras Jdayr (from Tunisia) and Bay of As Sallum (from Egypt). At the border, you must buy a temporary licence including a number plate.

From Niger
The Libya-Niger border is often described as an "ungoverned area", i.e, a region with limited government presence. Moreover, areas near the Libya-Niger border are hotspots for terrorism, human trafficking, smuggling, and organised crime. Given Libya's proximity to Europe, many migrants from Niger often try to sneak in.

If you have no knowledge of Libyan roads, Nigerien roads, or both and if you have no experience with driving in harsh climates, you should not drive into Libya from Niger.

From Chad
Areas near the Libya-Chad border are hotspots for terrorism, militancy, human trafficking, smuggling, and organised crime. In addition to these issues, relations between Chad and Libya are incredibly unhealthy and the Libyan authorities often close the Libyan-Chadian border without prior warning.

From Sudan
Given the poor security and political situation in Sudan, travelling overland from Sudan to Libya is not recommended.

By bus
There are bus services from Tunisia and Egypt.

Previous scheduled services may take an extended time to restore, please ensure your travel is through a stable area before boarding any service.

By boat
Supposedly, in 2023, there is a ferry, the Kevalay Queen, connecting Tripoli and Misrata with Istanbul.

Previous scheduled services may take an extended time to restore, please check before ticketing for any service.

By plane
Due to the immense size of the country, the terrible state of the roads, and the poor security situation, the only way to get around the country quickly is by plane. This is not to say that it's entirely safe, but it's still a better alternative to travelling overland.

By road
Prior to the civil war many visitors undertook the trip in their own 4x4s or using their own dirt bikes and campervans. It would seem that they encountered considerable hospitality once in the country. It was not uncommon to see convoys of European campervans on Libya's highways prior to the civil war. Please make serious and detailed enquiries prior to undertaking any trip by road into Libya to determine if the area you will be travelling through is safe and if fuel and other services are available. Travel such as this is not recommended.

Some self-drive car rental services are available in the large cities but the rates were typically high and the cars unreliable. Avis and Europcar provide rental cars. Around the major cities, driving can be an "education", although driving standards are not as bad as in other countries in the region.

The recommended method of transport for tourists around major towns is taxis. There are also many shared taxis and buses. The small black and white taxis (or death pandas) tend to be safer (more cautious drivers) but learn the term "Shweyah-Shweyah", Libyan for slow-down, and ask them to keep off Al-Sareyah (the motorway from Souq-Al-Thataltha to Janzour)! A taxi driver will routinely try it on with tourists. Will always try to charge 10 dinars for a fare around town. Negotiate the price first. If you find a good taxi driver with a good car, it doesn't hurt to build up a relationship and get their mobile number. Taxis from the airport can be more expensive as the airport is a long way from town. The Corinthia Hotel runs a shuttle from the airport to the hotel.

Longer journeys such as Tripoli to Benghazi will take about 14 hours by bus. The buses make stops for meals and the very important tea (shahee) breaks along the way. A faster method is to take the "shared taxis" but some of the drivers tend to be more reckless in order to cut the travel time. Services such as inter-city bus services have been seriously disrupted or halted due to the civil unrest and armed conflict. Travel by long distance bus services in Libya is not recommended.

If travelling by road in post liberation Libya very high levels of situational awareness should be practised at all times. Fuel supplies and vehicle repair services may be disrupted and some roads and bridges may be damaged. Armed groups and dis-affected individuals, armed militias and detachments of foreign military and military contractors are active throughout Libya. The opportunity to inadvertently become involved in a violent confrontation or robbery is much higher than in many other countries in the region and caution should be exercised. If in doubt stop and take cover or if possible immediately depart the area to a safer location.

Talk
The official language of Libya is Arabic.

The local vernacular is Libyan Arabic. It has extensive borrowings from languages such as Italian, Turkish, and Amazigh/Tamazight ("Berber"). For instance, the word for traffic light is "semaforo" and the word for petrol is "benzina". Modern Standard Arabic is rarely spoken in everyday conversations. However, most Libyans are knowledgeable in MSA, so if you wish to improve your Arabic skills, you shouldn't have any problems. You're not expected to know the local dialect, but if you make an attempt to learn a few words of the local vernacular, you will impress the locals!

English is the most widely taught foreign language in Libyan schools and it is widely used in commerce. You should not have problems getting around using only English, but the downside of speaking English is that you'll immediately be identified as an outsider and may attract unwanted attention from some undesirable people (e.g. criminals, corrupt officials). Outside of Tripoli, however, English is probably rarely used.

Although Libya was once an Italian colony, the use of Italian has diminished drastically since independence. Very few people (apart from the elderly, the well-educated, members of the Italian community, and businesspeople) nowadays speak Italian.

See

Libya's colourful capital Tripoli makes for a great start to explore the country, as it still has its traditional walled medina to explore, as well as the interesting Red Castle Museum, with expositions on all parts of the region's history. Despite the development as a tourist destination, this remains a quintessentially North-African place, with a range of beautiful mosques and impressive fountains and statues to remind of its historic role in the great Ottoman Empire. Some 130 km from the capital is Leptis Magna ('Arabic: لَبْدَة), once a prominent city of the Roman Empire. Its ruins are located in Al Khums, on the coast where the Wadi Lebda meets the sea. The site is one of the most spectacular and unspoiled Roman ruins in the Mediterranean. Another must-see is Cyrene, an ancient colony founded in 630 BC as a settlement of Greeks from the Greek island of Theraand. It was then a Roman city in the time of Sulla (c. 85 BC) and now an archaeological site near the village of present-day Shahhat and Albayda.

The vast Sahara makes for some excellent natural experiences, complete with picture-perfect oases like Ubari. The Unesco listed town of Ghadames was once a Phoenician trade town, and the ruins of its ancient theatre, church and temples are a major attraction today. For stunning landscapes, try the Acacus Mountains, a desert mountain range with sand dunes and impressive ravines. The varied cave paintings of animals and men that were found here have earned the area recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage Site too.

Money
The Libyan currency is the Libyan dinar, denoted by the symbol "ل.د" or "LD" (ISO code: LYD). The dinar is subdivided into 1000 dirhams. Banknotes are issued in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 20, and 50 dinars. Coins are issued in denominations of 50, 100 dirhams, ¼, and ½ dinar.

The Libyan dinar is commonly called jni in the (western Libyan Dialect) or jneh in the eastern Libyan dialect. These terms are derived from the "guinea", a former unit of currency in the UK. The word dirham is not used in everyday speech. Garsh is used instead to refer to 10 dirhams.

ATM cards are widely used in Tripoli more other areas and most big name stores and some coffee lounges accept major cards. Check that your card is going to work before leaving major centres as previous networks and ATM facilities may be damaged or missing.

Economy
The Libyan economy during the Gaddafi era depended primarily upon revenues from the oil sector, which contributed 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, gave Libya one of the highest per capita GDPs in Africa. Libyan Arab Jamahiriya officials made progress on economic reforms in last four years of their administration 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 that it would abandon programs to build weapons of mass destruction in December 2003. Almost all US unilateral sanctions against Libya were lifted in April 2004, helping Libya attract more foreign direct investment, mostly in the energy sector. Libya applied for World Trade Organization membership, reduced some subsidies and announced plans for some privatisation of state-owned companies. The former Libyan government invested heavily in African projects including large scale telecommunications and other major international infrastructure and development programs. Sanctions were re-applied in 2001.

In 2011 actions by domestic insurgents and foreign military forces effectively closed down the normal functions of civil administration during the civil war period.

Eat

In Tripoli, it is surprisingly hard to find a traditional Libyan restaurant. Most serve western-style cuisine, with a few Moroccan and Lebanese restaurants thrown in. There are also good Turkish restaurants, and some of the best coffee and gelato outside of Italy. There are some wonderful Libyan dishes you should taste in case you are fortunate enough to be invited to a Libyan dinner party or wedding (be prepared to be overfed!)

A favourite café for the local expatriate community is the fish restaurant in the souq. For the equivalent of a few US dollars, you can enjoy a great seafood couscous. A local speciality is the stuffed calamari.

Also recommend Al-Saraya: Food OK, but its attraction is its position, right in Martyr's Square (Gaddafi name: Green Square). Another good seafood restaurant is Al-Morgan, next to the Algiers Mosque, near 1st of September Street.

There are flashy looking big fast-food outlets in Tripoli. These are not quite the multinationals, but a close copy of them. They are springing up in the Gargaresh Road area, a big shopping area in the western suburbs of Tripoli.

Try one of the best local catch fish named "werata" grilled or baked with local herbs and spices.

Drink
Tea is the most common drink in Libya. Green tea and "red" tea are served almost everywhere from small cups, usually sweetened. Mint is sometimes mixed in with the tea, especially after meals.

Coffee is traditionally served Turkish style: strong, from small cups, no cream. Most coffee shops in the larger cities have espresso machines that will make espresso, cappuccino, and such. Quality varies, so ask locals for the best one around.

Alcohol is banned in Libya, though it is readily available through a local black market (anything from whisky to beer to wine). Penalties for unlawful purchase can be quite stiff.

Sleep

Major cities have a range of accommodations available, from shabby hotels to 4-star establishments. Prices vary accordingly.

In Tripoli, there are a couple of international-standard hotels: the Radisson Blu opened in 2009/2010 and offer excellent accommodations and services, while the older Corinthia Hotel, is located adjacent to the old city (The Medina or "Al Souq Al Qadeem"). Other hotels are Bab-Al-Bahr, Al-Kabir, and El-Mahari.

Manara Hotel, a tidy 4-star hotel in Jabal Akhdir, east of Benghazi, is next to the ancient Greek ruins of Appolonia Port.

While it seems to be diminishing with the arrival of more tourists every year, Libyans have a strong tradition of taking travellers into their own homes and lavishing hospitality on them. This is certainly true in smaller towns and villages.

There are several good hotels in Tripoli's Dhahra area, near the church like Marhaba hotel.

Youth Hostels, associated with the IYH Federation (HI), are available. Please contact the Libyan Youth Hostel Association,.

Learn
Learn more about Libya's UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Work

Finding a job in Libya is not an easy endeavour, even for Libyan nationals themselves. There are not enough jobs for everyone (Libya's unemployment is between 20-30%) and this forces many Libyans to work abroad in other countries. As is the case in every other country, you must have a work permit if you want to work in the country.

Although the government welcomes investment and help, excessive bureaucracy, high levels of corruption, and political instability mean that many are often reluctant to take up work opportunities in the country. Also, without any knowledge of Arabic, adapting to life in Libya may become a bit challenging. Keep all this in mind if you wish to work in Libya.

Libyan authorities take abuse of Libyan immigration laws very seriously; in 2015, the country outright banned Bangladeshi citizens from entering the country because many Bangladeshi citizens (reportedly) came to the country just to illegally migrate to Europe.

If you have a background in construction, you might be able to find a job in the country's construction sector and be a part of the country's rebuilding efforts. For a country that has been ravaged by open warfare for a decade, much of the country's infrastructure is in desperate need of repair.

Some international organisations, such as the United Nations, are situated in Tripoli. If you have a background in politics or international relations, working in the country won't be such a bad idea. In addition, the country is a great place to further develop your Arabic language skills and make a difference in a country torn apart by years of conflict and instability.

Stay safe
The security situation in Libya is fragile and unpredictable. Although some have been brave enough to enter and leave the country without any difficulties, anything can happen in this politically unstable nation.

Crime
Libya has a very high crime rate thanks to years of warfare and instability. Law and order is virtually non-existent in large parts of the country. Foreign visitors are likely to be seen as "easy targets" by Libyan criminals and are likely to be detained for all kinds of reasons.

Don't flash or exhibit objects like cameras, mobile phones, laptops, and so on in public, don't be too trusting of people you don't know, and be aware of your surroundings at all times. In the unlikely event you are robbed, do not fight back, or else you might end up being dragged into a violent fight.

The Libyan justice system is horribly corrupt, fragmented, and inefficient; therefore, if you are the victim of a crime, do not expect the courts to readily prosecute prepetrators and do not expect Libyan law enforcement to take you seriously.

Political unrest
The political situation in the country is far from stable.

The first ever presidential election, which has been repeatedly postponed since December 2018, is likely to heighten existing tensions throughout the country. What exactly will happen is open to interpretation.

It is strongly recommended that you regularly monitor local media; you never know what can happen.

Extreme weather
Libya is dominated by the hot, warm, dry Saharan desert; temperatures can rise as high as 50 degrees Celsius. Be sure to hydrate often and wear appropriate clothing to deal with the heat.

Road safety

Driving by most Libyans is wild, and much of the country's road network is poorly developed and maintained. Drivers attack their art with an equal mix of aggressiveness and incompetence. Traffic laws are rarely enforced, and the country has a high road accident rate.

Since much of Libya is covered in vast deserts, wind-blown sand can reduce visibility without warning. In addition, highway signs are usually in Arabic, and roadside assistance is limited. If you don't know Arabic and have no experience with driving in North Africa, it would be better not to drive in Libya.

Terrorism
As obvious as it sounds, no part of Libya should be considered entirely safe; the potential for violent incidents, either targeted or random, exists anywhere at any time, and many governments advise that terrorists are likely to conduct attacks in Libya.

Libyan dual nationals

If you are considered Libyan – such as having a Libyan father or being born to a Libyan parent – by the authorities, possessing another passport will not grant you consular assistance or protection.

Women travellers
If you are married to a Libyan, you are subject to Libyan marital laws: your children cannot leave the country unless your (former) husband gives permission. This may make it impossible for you to leave the country with your children if you decide to divorce your Libyan husband.

If you had the misfortune of being married to an abusive spouse and are not prepared to deal with the prospect of never seeing your children again, encourage them to not go in the first place.

LGBT travellers
As is the case throughout the Arab world and the Middle East, homosexuality is frowned upon by the vast majority of Libyans. Open display of such orientations may result in open contempt and possible violence.

Under current laws, same-sex activity is punishable by up to 5 years in prison. This law, in practice, is rarely enforced because militias may choose to execute LGBT people instead. There are no laws and policies in place that protect the rights of members of the LGBT community.

Photography
Libya has strict rules about taking pictures. For example, photographing or filming military or law enforcement personnel or installations is a quick way to get into trouble.

Stay healthy
Prior to the fall of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Libya had an excellent health care system. However, the civil wars that soon followed badly damaged and devastated the once excellent health care system. Many hospitals are in a state of despair and there's a shortage of medical supplies and staff.

Good quality healthcare facilities can be found in major cities such as Tripoli.

Medical care in the most remote parts of Libya is virtually non-existent.

Even if you have travel health insurance it may not be valid in the country. It's advisable to check in advance with your insurer.

Respect
Much of what is considered good manners in the Arab world is applicable to Libya.

Libyans are indirect communicators. They are tempered by the need to save face and protect their honour and they will avoid saying anything that could be construed as judgemental or negative. One's point is expressed in a roundabout way.

Never beckon a Libyan person directly, even if they've done something wrong in your opinion. Libyans in general are non-confrontational by nature and can be rather sensitive to strong, harsh comments. Under Libyan law, if you are thought to have defamed someone or violated the honour or reputation of someone, you can be taken to court. What exactly counts as "defamation" and "violating someone's honour" is open-ended and subjective, but simply put, refrain from making strong comments about people, even if your perspective happens to be true.

Respect for elders is important in Libya. You are expected to act politely around someone older than you, and it would be seen as rude manners if you attempt to challenge someone older than you. It's commonly expected for the senior-most person to make decisions in the business world. If you come across someone who is older than you, give up your seat on public transportation for them. If you're waiting for a taxi, allow someone older to take your spot. If you're in a business meeting, stand up to greet the senior person. If you've been invited to a Libyan home, greet the elders first.

Libyans take relationships very seriously and they view them as long-term commitments. In the business world, Libyans prefer to do business with those they know and respect and look for long-term relationships.

Always use your right hand when shaking hands, bringing something to someone, and so on. The left hand is considered unclean in Libya. It would be considered impolite to use your left hand to offer something to someone, and it would be seen as awkward to eat with your left hand.

The pace of life in Libya is quite slow. Building relationships and getting things done require you to demonstrate sincere interest as Libyans try to do things in a measured, careful manner. Do not express frustration at this or try to rush things; it can be seen as insulting.

Home etiquette

 * Libyans are not known for being punctual, which can be very surprising to visitors from countries where punctuality is highly valued. Lateness does not imply rudeness or a lack of interest; people have a casual approach to time.
 * If you've been invited to a Libyan home, you will often be showered with tea, coffee, and snacks. Refusing any of these would offend your hosts and it could get them to think that you do not appreciate them or their hospitality.
 * You'll often be encouraged by your hosts to take second helpings ad infinitum. If so, take it as a form of respect as it may leave a good impression on your hosts.
 * Utensils are not used when eating. People tend to eat with their right hands. As is the case in many Muslim-majority countries, the left hand is considered unclean.

Politics

 * It is illegal to criticise the country, the state flag, or the state emblem. Doing so is punishable by up to three years of imprisonment. You do not have to praise the country excessively; just be polite. It is also a crime to criticise another country's flag or state emblem on Libyan soil.
 * Criticism of the government is unacceptable in any way, shape, or form. Under current Libyan laws, you can be arrested for "insulting" or "disparaging the dignity of" public officials. You never know who you might be talking to. For similar reasons, don't engage in political discussions with people who bring up politics. Again, what exactly constitutes as "insulting" and "disparaging someone's dignity" is open-ended and subjective, but simply put, be careful with divulging your opinions on the country's political situation. Those who have left Libya may be more open to having a political discussion.
 * As is the case throughout the Arab world, the Israel-Palestine conflict can be a dicey and highly emotive topic for some people. Unless you have a heart for prolonged discussions, avoid discussions on Israel.
 * Avoid having a discussion on Muammar Gaddafi. In some circles, people feel that there was more stability under his rule and may be offended by negative comments about him or his regime. Gaddafi loyalism is still strong in cities like Sirte.

Religion

 * Islam is the dominant religion in Libya and it plays an important role in the lives of many. During Ramadan, you should refrain from eating, drinking, smoking, and chewing in public.
 * It is illegal to criticise or speak badly about Islam. Doing so is punishable by up to two years of imprisonment.
 * It is illegal to proselytise any religion other than Islam. This includes possessing religious literature.

Consular services
Due to various factors − the effects of the civil war, the ongoing humanitarian crisis, the volatile security situation, political instability, and so on − many embassies and consulates offer limited services. Some governments have closed down their diplomatic missions completely.

Most embassies, foreign missions, and provisional offices are situated in Tripoli; some consulates can be found in Benghazi.

If requiring assistance from your nation's consular representatives, it may be possible to seek them out in a country adjoining Libya or from a partnered government if a citizen of an EU state. Australia refers their citizens to the Australian embassy in Rome, while Canada and the United States of America refer their citizens to their embassies in Tunis.

Media
Libya has numerous newspapers, radio stations, podcasts, and magazines.

title: Libya