Tripoli (طرابلس الغرب), Libya

Medina of Old Tripoli
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Medina_Tripoli_Libya_2008.jpg
Author: Victor Korniyenko


Tripoli (Arabic: طرابلس الغرب) is the capital and biggest city in Libya. It is known in Arabic as Tarabulus al-Gharb, meaning Tripoli-of-the-West, to differentiate it from Tripoli, Lebanon. In the west, however, it got its name Tripoli from the Greek, meaning "three cities". Tripoli covers 400 sq km (200 sq mi) and has a population of 2.22 million people (2012 estimate).

Tripoli is located on the northwestern part of Libya, on the coast facing the Mediterranean Sea. It is an ancient city founded by the Phoenicians in the 7th century BC. Throughout its long history, it has been ruled by various powers including the Greeks, Carthaginians, Romans, Berber, Spanish and Ottomans.

In 1911, when Ottoman influence was on the verge of collapse, Italy declared war on the Ottomans, eventually forming the Treaty of Lausanne that recognizes Italian sovereignty over Tripoli. The city was under the control of Italy until 1943, when it was captured by Allied forced and placed under British administration. It remained under British control until independence in 1951.

Tripoli was rocked by strong anti-government protests that eventually brought down the Gaddafi regime. Since then, the country is governed by the National Transitional Council, a transitional administration to oversee the country's transition to constitutional democracy.

Visiting Tripoli

At time of writing (May 2012), the political climate in Tripoli remains extremely volatile, so independent visitors are strongly encouraged to avoid making tourist visits.

Red Castle Museum, Tripoli
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Redcastle_museum.JPG
Author: SashaCoachman

Places of Interest in Tripoli

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