Libya: flag, capital, currency and history

Flag of Libya

Download the flag of Libya as a scalable SVG or as a PNG in three sizes. The flag emoji is 🇱🇾.

History of Libya

Ancient Libya saw Phoenician and Greek colonisation, including the Greek founding of Cyrene around 631 BC, and later Carthaginian and Roman rule. Arab forces conquered the region in the 640s, and Islam and the Arabic language became dominant. The Ottomans took Tripoli in 1551 and ruled for centuries until Italy invaded in 1911. After the Second World War, Libya was placed under British and French administration, and became an independent kingdom on 24 December 1951. A coup in 1969 brought Muammar Gaddafi to power. A 2011 uprising ended his rule, and rival authorities have since competed for control.

Key dates

1. c. 631 BCGreek settlers found the city of Cyrene in eastern Libya.
2. 640sArab forces conquer the region.
3. 1551The Ottomans capture Tripoli.
4. 1911Italy invades Ottoman Tripolitania and Cyrenaica.
5. 1951Libya becomes an independent kingdom under King Idris on 24 December.
6. 1969A military coup led by Muammar Gaddafi overthrows the monarchy.
7. 2011An uprising and foreign military intervention end Gaddafi's rule.

A short overview, not a full history. Dates are given for well-documented events only.

Currency of Libya

Libya uses the Libyan dinar (LYD, ل.د). Use our free currency converter to check exchange rates.

Frequently asked questions

Neighbours of Libya

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More countries in Northern Africa

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