The Deserts of Libya

The Sahara Desert covers most of Libya. But ironically Libya has the longest shoreline on the Mediterranean Sea. On the shores of the Mediterrenean is the best preserved Roman city in the world, Leptus Magna. It remains undisturbed up to today. The columns are still standing. It was located at the end of the African trade route. It had a famous amphitheatre for gladiators and circus. The chariot arena is there too in a circular path. Tripoli is the capital of Libya and is a vibrant modern city. Ancient Tripoli lies unchanged though. The coffe houses serve hot strong coffee. You can hire a car and head south on the highway out of Tripoli to Ghadames on the edge of the Sahara Desert. The ancient berber villages on the way have warehouses that are underground and cool. Ghadames is a town on the edge of civilization. The houses in the old sector are built to stay cool. The roofs of the houses are only for women - men are forbidden. Ghadames was a center for slave trading in ancient times which was controlled by the Tuareg tribes. Tuareg society is matrilineal. All hereditary rights pass to the first-born daughter. In Ghadames you can find a desert guide to take you to Gabron.

From Gabron the guide can take you to Garama via four wheel drive in a convoy across the desert. The camel markets have camels that have come from sudan. The buying and selling is fast and furious and involves much haggling and arguments in a theatrical manner. The Oasis of Gabron has a lake full of water. From there the desert leads you to many wadis on the way to Garama where archeologists have uncovered the ancient city buried under the sands of the desert. The ancient city of Garama had sophisticated underground water reservoirs and tunnels. From there , the Akakus Mountains are to the South. The Rock Art of the Akakus Mountains have pictures of crocodiles, cattle, camels, and other animals. This area was once a rich string of oases supporting a much less dry climate and environment. The Sahara is drying up every year.

Libya Desert Resources

Lonely Planet - Libya - Libya is the type of desert nation you thought only existed in the imagination. Experience the astonishing ruins of Leptis Magna, starry night skies over towering Saharan dunes, the hospitality of Tuareg guides and much more with this outstanding new guide.

Rome in Africa - Nearly three thousand years ago, the Phoenicians set up trading colonies on the coast of North Africa, and ever since successive civilizations, largely from outside, have dominated the local inhabitants. Carthaginians, Romans, Vandals, Byzantines, Arabs, Turks, French and Italians have all occupied the region in their time.

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