What I learnt about Libya
Geography: Libya is located in North Africa and is the fourth-largest country on the continent. It covers an area of about 1.8 million square kilometers.The capital city is Tripoli.The estimated population of Libya is around 7.8 million people. The Sahara Desert covers much of Libya, and the country is known for its stunning desert landscapes and ancient rock art sites, such as those in Tadrart Acacus.
- History: Libya has a rich and complex history that spans several millennia
- The indigenous Berber people have lived in Libya for thousands of years.
- Around the 7th century BCE, the Phoenicians established trading posts along the coast. The Greeks later founded the city of Cyrene in the east, which became a major center of learning and culture
- Libya became part of the Roman Empire in the 1st century BCE. Cities like Leptis Magna and Sabratha flourished under Roman rule, leaving behind impressive ruins.
- In the 7th century CE, Arab armies brought Islam to Libya. The region became part of various Islamic caliphates and dynasties over the centuries.
- The Ottomans controlled Libya from the mid-16th century until the early 20th century, although their grip was often tenuous.
- Italy invaded Libya in 1911, and it became an Italian colony.
- uring World War II, Libya was a battleground between Allied and Axis forces. Libya gained independence in 1951, becoming a kingdom under King Idris I.
- Colonel Muammar Gaddafi seized power in a 1969 coup. His rule was marked by authoritarianism, economic reforms, and international controversies until his overthrow in 2011.
- Since Gaddafi’s fall, Libya has experienced significant turmoil, including two civil wars. Efforts to stabilize the country continue, with various factions vying for control.
Economy: Libya has the largest proven oil reserves in Africa, with about 48 billion barrels. Before the discovery of oil in the late 1950s, Libya was considered poor in natural resources. The discovery of petroleum dramatically changed its economic landscape.
What I read for Libya
Summary
From acclaimed novelist and Pulitzer Prize winner Hisham Matar comes a profoundly moving memoir of his journey back to his homeland, Libya, in search of answers to his father’s disappearance. In 2012, following the overthrow of Qaddafi, Matar returns to Libya after thirty years in exile. At twelve, Matar and his family fled political persecution. Eight years later, Matar’s father—a former diplomat and brave political dissident—was kidnapped by the Libyan regime and presumably held in its most notorious prison. With these prisons now emptied, Matar holds onto a slim hope of finding his father alive, demonstrating that hope is “persistent and cunning.” This book captures a family’s heartbreaking quest, the turbulent transformation of a nation, and the disturbing realities of unchecked power.
Thoughts
Libya has such a rich history and I really enjoyed learning about it. I am sure that I have only scratched the surface but still the experience was enriching. I also feel that this book was a very good pick for this challenge as it was a historical memoir. It perfectly captures the pain and struggle of people who lived through the reign of Qaddafi. I also liked his writing style. His prose are eloquent yet succent. He has also written so many other books which has gathered a lot of praise. One of them is ‘The Friends’, which got longlisted for the booker prize for this year. I also plan to read it sometime.
Do you have any other recommendation from this country? Please share it in comments.
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