The document provides background information on Libya, including: 1) Libya has a population of 6.6 million people with a median age of 24.5 years. Islam is the dominant religion. Oil makes up 95% of exports and 25% of GDP. 2) Libya has a long history dating back thousands of years, and was successively ruled by Berbers, Phoenicians, Romans, Byzantines, Arabs, Ottomans, and Italians before gaining independence in 1951. 3) Muammar Gaddafi seized power in a 1969 coup and established an authoritarian regime, nationalizing the economy and engaging in state terrorism before facing protests in 2011 that led to his overthrow.

1. LIBYAYes! This green side is the national flag. Not the best place for flag designers.

2. Key StatisticsPopulation: 6.6 MillionMedian Age: 24.5 YearsReligion: 97% SunniGDP: $89.03 Billion ($13,800 per capita)Leader: <-- this guy! Mohammar QuadaffiYears in Power: 42 yearsTime Left in Power: 42 minutes?

3. Modern EconomyOIL! (95% of export earnings, 25% of GDP, 80% of government earnings)98th in world for Soverign debtQadaffi is worth close to $70 billion all stolen from the countrySmall amounts of agricultureRefines own oilExports petrochemicals

4. History (prehistoric)1000’s of years ago Sahara used to be lush green landLand settled by Berbers after the nomadic tribes settledDomesticated cattleCultivated cropsSociety dates backs 12,000 yearsNo written language therefore little is known about themPhoenician’s established trading relations with the Berber tribes by the 5th century BCEThe Phoenician state of Carthage occupied part of current day Libya

5. Roman Libya 74 BC - 642 ADTripolitania becomes a state after the fall of Carthage and asks for protection from the RomansAnnexed in 74 BC and added to province of CreteEconomically successful in its golden age in 2nd century ADFull of merchants and artisans and exported olive oil and cerealsCoastal regions became incredibly Romanized

6. Tripolitania = “three polis” areaOea = current day TripoliSabrathaLeptis Magna

7. Rome’s SplitDuring the split Libya goes to Byzantine empire.High taxes imposed to pay for warsMinimized legitimacy of the empire in LibyaIn 642 AD the armies of Islam capture the province with 40,000 solidersTribal resistance surfaces but is put down in next 20 years

8. Arab Islamic Rule 642-1551Exports salt, wool, and leatherNormans of Italy invade setting off a long warTurks and Bedouins reclaim Libya in 1174Libya becomes a center of art, architecture, and literature

9. Ottoman Rule 1551-1911Invaded and conquered by the OttomansRun by janissaries18th century - lapsed into military anarchy due to lack of central governmentCoup takes power from Ottoman’s but deal is quickly reached to nominally rejoin with Ahmed as new governorAhmed improves economy by employing pirates on central shipping lanesFights the Barbary Wars with the US in 19th century

10. Italian Colonialism 1911 - 1951Known as Italian North Africa150,000 Italians settled in the county1934 Libya becomes official nameUprising arises between two world warsUnder fascism Italy takes a hard line against rebelsAfter WWII the Brits and French control Libya

11. Independent StateThe UN General Assembly sets up a constitutional monarchy in 1952Islam declared religion of stateConstitution protects individual rights and public obligationsDiscovery of oil in 1959 helps Libya no longer be one of the world’s poorest states

12. QaddafiCoup in 1969 by 27 year old Qaddafi (took 2 hours)Suspended constitution and implemented ShariaPurged country of “politically sick”Created people’s militia to protect revolutionExtensive intelligence network - 10 - 20% of Libyans in its employExecuted dissidentsAssassinated international refugees

13. QaddafiAttacks Egypt because of Sadat’s peace with IsraelEgypt destroys all Libyan armor leaving 400 deadOnce more becomes impoverished from Qaddafi’s economic policyLong history of state sponsored terrorism

14. Protest Timeline