libya Essay example -- essays research papers

Libya is an Arab country in northern Africa. It lies on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. The country is bordered by Egypt and Sudan on the east, Chad and Niger on the south, and Algeria and Tunisia on the west. Tripoli is Libyas capital and largest city. The vast, dry Sahara covers most of Libya, and the country has few natural resources. But the discovery of petroleum in 1959 injected huge sums of money into Libyas economy. The government of Libya employ some of this wealth to improve farmland and provide services for the people. Almost all of Libyas people are of mixed Arab and Berber ancestry and are Muslims. Until the early 1900s, Libya consisted of 3 separate geographical and historical regions. It became a united, independent country in 1951. Libyas official name is the Great Socialist Peoples Libyan Arab Jamahiriya.GovernmentMuammar Muhammad al-Qadhafi is Libyas head of state, barely he holds no official title. In 1969, Qadhafi led a military revolt that overthrew the r uling monarchy. Libyas government is based on popular assemblies. All Libyan citizens age 18 or older may vote and hold public office. About 1,000 local groups elect a representative to the General Peoples sex act (GPC), which officially runs the national government. The General Peoples Congress meets every year to consider legislation and to select the members of the General Peoples Committee, which develops national policy. Libya is divided into 24 political units called bal...