Tripoli in Libya. (Image: Getty)
is home to some that have incredible and varied landscapes like rainforests and deserts.
But one country stands out from the rest as it’s mostly covered by sand and is relatively close to .
The nation in question is , which is located in . It is the continent’s fourth-largest country and the 16th-largest in the world, covering nearly 695,000 square miles.
Despite its size, around 90% of the country is covered by desert, with most of its population living in cities along the .
The nation is bordered by , Sudan, , Niger, , and , and also has the longest of any African country.
:
Libyan Sahara Desert. (Image: Getty)
Stretching 1,100 miles, it is home to cities including Tripoli, Benghazi, and Misrata, where most of the country’s seven million people reside.
Libya has been shaped by its desert environment, with water resources being extremely limited. The country relies on underground aquifers, desalination plants, and a system of dams to collect water.
Agriculture is also very restricted, and much of the economy is dependent on oil.
Before petroleum was discovered in the late 1950s, Libya was considered one of the poorest nations in the world, relying heavily on foreign aid.
Don’t miss… [REPORT]
Libya has the longest Mediterranean coastline of any African country. (Image: Getty)
Oil revenues changed that, allowing for rapid development, free healthcare, and an extensive welfare system.
For decades, Libya was ruled by Colonel Muammar Gaddafi, who seized power in 1969. His leadership lasted over 40 years and was marked by strict authoritarian rule and tense relations with Western nations.
In 2011, following a rebellion supported by Western military intervention, Gaddafi was overthrown and killed, but the country has remained politically divided ever since.
Libya has been split between rival governments, with one based in Tripoli and another in the east.
A ceasefire agreement was reached in 2020, but tensions remain, with both sides claiming legitimacy, and the failure to hold elections in 2021 has further complicated efforts to restore stability.
Some 90% of Libya is covered by desert. (Image: Getty)
The country has also become a key transit point for migrants attempting to cross the Mediterranean to Europe.
Thousands make the dangerous journey each year, often facing exploitation from traffickers.
Security is also a major concern, with the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office advising against all travel to Libya since 2014.
The government warns that the situation can deteriorate quickly, with violent clashes breaking out without warning.