Geography and Environment

Geography and Environment of Libya

Terrain, climate, natural resources, hazards, and environmental conditions of Libya.

Terrain: mostly barren, flat to undulating plains, plateaus, depressions
Climate: Mediterranean along coast; dry, extreme desert interior
Weather Patterns: http://voap.weather.com/weather/oap/LYXX0009?template=TRVLH&par=1003114983&unit=0&key=5b85ae1d85877a1b34827fba743e2133
Highest Point: 2267 — Bikku Bitti 2,267 m
Lowest Point: -47 — Sabkhat Ghuzayyil -47 m

Area (Comparative): slightly larger than Alaska
Border Countries: Algeria 982 km, Chad 1,055 km, Egypt 1,115 km, Niger 354 km, Sudan 383 km, Tunisia 459 km

Natural Resources: petroleum, natural gas, gypsum
Natural Hazards: hot, dry, dust-laden ghibli is a southern wind lasting one to four days in spring and fall; dust storms, sandstorms

Current Environmental Issues: desertification; very limited natural fresh water resources; the Great Manmade River Project, the largest water development scheme in the world, is being built to bring water from large aquifers under the Sahara to coastal cities
International Agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea

Detailed geography