Libya Travel Overview
At a glance
Capital: Tripoli
Official language: Arabic
Currency: dinar
Continent: North Africa
Travel and vacation in North Africa
Most of Libya is desert. But in the midst of a lot of sand, you can discover old cities, hidden ruins and magnificent oases.
Location
According to Countryaah, Libya is a state in North Africa that borders the Mediterranean Sea, as well as Tunisia, Algeria, Niger, Chad, Sudan and Egypt.
Vacation Libya
After the political isolation in the country, tourism in Libya does not yet play a role. This may change soon, because the country offers wonderful landscapes, but no rivers! Libya is the only country in the world where there is no constant flow. There are only wadis in the rainy season that fill up with water. When storing in wadis, caution is advised as travelers can put their lives in danger. Ironically, some have drowned in the desert this way.
Accessibility Libya
The capital Tripoli is the only destination to which international flights operate. From Tripoli, you can continue to travel the country by domestic flight. The Libyan airline Afriqiyah Airways flies to African countries and offers charter flights from Tripoli to Frankfurt.
Discover Libya
Several historical and cultural sites are UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Libya: the ruins of Leptis Magna, Sabratha and Cyrene, the rock paintings of Tadrat Acacus and the old town of Ghadames.
Right-hand traffic prevails in Libya. Therefore it is not a problem to get a rental car. There are also trained guides for Sahara tours. With or without a guide, you shouldn’t miss a tour of the Sahara. However, they will need a so-called desert pass from the authorities. This is also for your own safety!
Travel security
Tensions have risen between Switzerland and Libya since Hannibal Gaddafi’s arrest in July 2008. Swiss citizens are not advised to travel to Libya.
Important facts
Capital: Tripoli
Official language: Arabic
Currency
Currency (sub-unit)
Dinars (1000 dirhams)
ISO 4217 code
LYD / 434
Geography
Continent: Africa
Region: North
Geo coordinates: N 26 ° 20 ‘6.4 ” E 17 ° 13’ 42″
Highest mountain: Bikuku Bitti (2,267 m)
Total area: 1,759,540 km²
Mainland: 1,759,540 km²
National border: 4,383 km
Coastline: 1,770 km
Politics
Dependency: Italy until 1949
UN member since: 1955
Other political affiliation: Arab League
Form of government: People’s Republic
Economy
Export goods: Petroleum, peanuts, skins
BSP: $ 37.889 billion
GDP: $ 38.446 billion
GDP purchasing power parity: $ 52.8 billion
Economic growth: 9.2%
GDP share of agriculture: 7.1%
GDP share of industry: 51.4%
GDP share of services: 41.5%
Inflation rate: 3.9%
State budget revenue: $ 4294967295
State budget expenditure: $ 4294967295
National debt: 7.6%
Export: $ 38.87 billion
Import: $ 14,664,000,000
Foreign debt: $ 4,472,000,000
Gold and currency reserves: $ 46.820 billion
Electricity consumption: 14,900 million KWh
Gas reserves: 1,321,000 million m³
Gas production: 7,670 million m³
Gas consumption: 6,990 million m³
Oil reserves: 40,000 million m³
Oil production: 1,787,000 million m³
Oil consumption: 254,000 million m³
Cultivation area: 1.22%
Sheep: 4,010,000 pieces
Fishing: 34,400 t
Demographic data
Residents: 5,900,800
Residents in cities: 5,103,400
Average age: 23 years
0-14 years: 33.6%
15-64 years: 62.2%
> 65 years: 4.2%
Population growth: 2.3%
Birth rate: 26.49 / 1,000 residents
Death rate: 3.48 / 1,000 residents
Ratio men / women: 1.05
Fertility: 3.28 children / woman
Infant mortality: 23.71 ‰
Life expectancy men: 74.46 years
Life expectancy women: 79.02 years
Country codes and abbreviations
ISO 3166 Alpha 2: LY
ISO 3166 Alpha 3: LBY
ISO 3166 numeric: 434
Top Level Domain: ly
IOC country code: LBA
UN / LOCODE: LY
Source: Abbreviationfinder
Communication
Telephone connections: 850,000
Cell Phones: 188,000
Radios: 1,590,000
TV: 1,080,000
Computer: 390,000
Internet users: 740,000
Transportation
Paved roads: 59,370 km
Cars: 1,020,000
Merchant fleet (ships over 1,000 GRT): 18th
Pipelines: 11,284
Health
Number of doctors: 8,010
Daily food intake: 3,350 kcal / resident
HIV- infected people: 17,000
Education
Illiteracy: 17%
History
Foundation: 1949
Last sovereign since: 1949
Religion
Main religious group: Muslims
Crime
Prison inmates: 12,100
Military
Armed forces (troop strength): 76,000
Main battle tank: 2,240
Battleships: 7
Submarines: 4
Warplanes: 410
Helicopter: 150
Defense Spending: $ 2,047,000,000
GETTING THERE
Arriving by plane
New Caledonia’s national airline is called Aircalin (Air Calédonie International) (SB) (Internet: www.aircalin.com). All flights go via Paris, the flight time depends on the respective connection.
Air France (AF) offers direct flights from Paris to New Caledonia and connections to other destinations in the South Pacific. Air New Zealand (NZ), Air Vanuatu (NF) and Qantas (QF) also fly to New Caledonia.
Flight times
Frankfurt / M. – Nouméa: 25 hours (2-3 stopovers).
Air passes
The Sky Team Asia Pass (Internet: www.skyteam.com) is valid for flights between Korea (Rep.), Japan, American Samoa, Australia, the Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, the Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu. 3-8 flights (coupons) can be combined with each other. The pass is only valid in conjunction with an international ticket from a Sky Team airline; the trip must start outside the South Pacific and it is advisable to book flights in advance.
Flight Price reductions also offers the Air Calédonie Pass the Aircalin. Only foreign tourists can buy it.
Departure fee
No.
Arrival by ship
The international port of Nouméa is used by several cruise lines.
ON THE GO
Traveling by plane
Domestic flights are offered by Air Calédonie (TY), which connects Nouméa with all other towns and islands (Isle of Pines and Loyauté Islands). From Magenta Airport (GEA) Air Calédonie flies regularly to Touho (east coast), Koné, Koumac, Belep (west coast) and to the neighboring Ile des Pins airport as well as to the Loyauté islands of Maré, Ouvéa, Lifou and Tiga. Air Calédonie also rents charter planes. Light aircraft and helicopters can be purchased from Air Alizé (Internet: www.airalize.com), Air Loyaute (website: www.air-loyaute.nc), Helicocean and Helitourisme be chartered.
Flight times
Flight times from Nouméa:
Ile des Pins (Kunie): 30 min; Lifou: 50 minutes; Maré: 50 min; Ouvéa: 45 min; Tiga: 45 min; Koné: 35 min; Touho: 1 hour 05 minutes; Koumac: 1 hour 40 minutes; Belep: 2 hours 35 minutes.
From Nouméa to the following major cities (approximate hours and minutes):
| Bus / car | |
| Bourail | 2.10 |
| Hienghene | 5.10 |
| Cone | 3.30 |
| Poindimié | 4.10 |
| Thio | 2.00 |
| Tontouta | 0.45 |
| Touho | 4.40 |
On the way by car / bus
Car: The road network covers approx. 5000 km.
Petrol stations are available in every village. There are also petrol stations between the villages. Unit prices apply.
Buses run all over the island. In Nouméa, regular buses run every 15-30 minutes between 5:00 am and 7:00 pm. There are two tourist bus routes: The Green Line runs between Kuendu Beach, the city center and other beach resorts. The blue line goes to the Tjibaou cultural center. A tourist day pass is available which gives visitors unlimited use of the buses for 24 hours. More information from GIE Karnia Bus (Tel: 265 454. Internet: www.gietcn.nc).
Taxi:Fares are based on time and distance. On Sundays and after 7 p.m. there is a surcharge. One should insist that the taximeter be switched on. In Nouméa there are taxi ranks in the city center and in Anse-Vata.
Rental cars are available from international and local companies in the capital. Minimum age: 21 years (sometimes 25 years). Drivers must have their driver’s license for at least 1-2 years.
Motorcycles, mopeds and bicycles can also be rented.
Documentation: International driver’s license required.
Speed limits:
urban: 50 km / h,
extra-urban: 110 km / h.
On the way by ship
From Grande Terre there are regular connections to the smaller islands. The high speed catamaran “Betico” sails regularly to the Ile des Pins and the Loyalty Islands. You can rent boats for trips to the smaller islands. Further information from Compagnie Maritime des Iles / Havana (Tel: 27 04 05).
