Libya

At a Glance

Libya is a North African country whose Mediterranean coast has some of the most intact and undervisited ancient Greek and Roman ruins in the world, most notably Leptis Magna and Sabratha, while the Saharan interior contains the extraordinary rock art and desert landscapes of the Fezzan. The culture is Arab and Berber, with a tradition of hospitality that predates modern history. It remains inaccessible for most independent travellers, but the potential for a remarkable journey is there.

• Had the highest GDP per capita in Africa and free healthcare before 2011.
• Gaddafi ruled for 42 years — longer than most of his citizens had been alive.
• Contains a sixth of all the world's known oil reserves.