Location: Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Egypt and Tunisia.

Geography: more than 90% of the country is desert or semidesert.

Area: total: 1,759,540 sq km, land: 1,759,540 sq, water: 0 sq km.

Capital: Tripoli.

Industries: petroleum, iron and steel, food processing, textiles, handicrafts, cement.

Languages:  Arabic, Italian, English, all are widely understood in the major cities.

National Holiday:  Revolution Day, 1 September (1969).

Currency (Code):  Libyan dinar (LYD).
 

GDP (purchasing power parity): 
•   $38.98 billion (2011 est.)
•   $96.7 billion (2010 est.)
•   $93.25 billion (2009 est.)
•   $86.77 billion (2008 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate):
$35.13 billion (2011 est.)

GDP - real growth rate: 
•   -59.7% (2011 est.)
•   3.7% (2010 est.)
•   -1.4% (2009 est.)
•   2.7% (2008 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP): 
•   $13,800 (2010 est.)
•   $13,600 (2009 est.)
•   $14,000 (2008 est.)

Investment (gross fixed): 
•   2.9% of GDP (2011 est.)
•   13.2% of GDP (2010 est.)

Public debt:
•    4.3% of GDP (2011 est.)
•   3.2% of GDP (2010 est.)
•   3.9% of GDP (2009 est.)

Exports: 
•   $15.16 billion (2011 est.)
•   $48.94 billion (2010 est.)
•   $37.16 billion (2009 est.)

Imports: 
•   $10.07 billion (2011 est.)
•   $24.56 billion (2010 est.)
•   $22.01 billion (2009 est.)

Debt - external: 
•   $4.744 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
•   $6.375 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
•   $5.891 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: 
•   $16.43 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
•   $$16.34 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
•   $15.56 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: 
•   $16.89 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
•   $16.66 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
•   $13.92 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Military expenditures:  3.9% of GDP (2005 est.)

Airports:  137
Airports - with paved runways: 59
•   over 3,047 m: 24
•   2,438 to 3,047 m: 5
•   1,524 to 2,437 m: 23
•   914 to 1,523 m: 6
•   under 914 m: 1 
Airports - with unpaved runways: 78
•   over 3,047 m: 3
•   2,438 to 3,047 m: 2
•   1,524 to 2,437 m: 14
•   914 to 1,523 m: 42
•   Under 914 m: 17 (2010)
Heliports:  2
Aircraft Departures:  5,900

Afriqiyah Airways was established in April 2001 and initiated services in December 2001. It is based in Tripoli, Libya and operates domestic flights between Tripoli and Benghazi, as well as scheduled services to more than 20 destinations in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. The airline's main base is Tripoli International Airport. Plans are being made to serve destinations in central and southern Africa and the Far East.

The 9.9.99 logo on the side of Afriqiyah's airplanes refers to the date of the Sirte Declaration which marked the formation of the African Union. The idea was for Afriqiyah to be the "Airline of Africa" with its hub in Tripoli. The airline generated US$120 million in revenue in 2006. By mid October 2010, Afriqiyah Airways and Libyan Airlines (Libya's other state flag carrier) were expected to merge into one airline. Founded as a state flag carrier with the aim of improving air services from western Africa to Europe. Afriqiyah became part of state-owned Libyiah Afriqiyah Aviation Holding Company in May 2008. Staff members: approx 1,300