1. Libya has a population of 6.6 million people with a median age of 24.5 years and 97% of the population practices Sunni Islam. 2. Libya's economy relies heavily on oil production and exports, which account for 95% of export earnings, 25% of GDP, and 80% of government earnings. 3. Modern Libya has experienced rule by the Romans, Byzantine Empire, Arab Islamic forces, Ottomans, Italian colonialism, and an independent constitutional monarchy before Gaddafi took power in a coup in 1969.