Cre8tive Play: 2021 Travel the World

I started a 50-week series in 2019 that I called Travel the World. Each week of the series I visited a randomly-selected country, sharing bits of information about that country. I then chose one tidbit of information about that week's country as inspiration for a card. As I explored those 50 countries in 2019, I knew I would continue on until I've visited every one of the 195 countries in the world, so I continued the series in 2020 and here I am in 2021, the third year of traveling the world.

This week's country is...

Libya

Located in northern Africa, Libya borders the Mediterranean Sea to the north, Algeria and Tunisia to the west, Egypt and Sudan to the East, and Chad and Niger to the south.

Libya is the fourth largest country in Africa (after Algeria, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Sudan). As such, it is two and a half times as big as the U. S. state of Texas.

Libya’s national language is Arabic but the people also speak Italian and English.

In Libya’s entire history, it only had one King. King Idris reigned from 1951 until he was overthrown by Colonel Gaddafi (also spelled Qadhafi) in 1969.

Libya’s 1099 miles of Mediterranean Sea coast is the longest of any North African country.

Tripoli is the capital and largest city of Libya, as well as the Port of Tripoli.

Tripoli is known as the Mermaid of the Mediterranean for its turquoise waters and whitewashed buildings.

The majority of the Libyan population lives in its coastal area cities.

Libyan people traditionally lived in extended families. Today many young couples get their own place instead of living with the husband’s family. The couples even choose their own mates, particularly those who live in the cities. In rural areas, traditional arranged marriages still occur.

The discovery of oil in Libya in the 1950s was a great turnaround for the country which had previously been ranked among the poorest in the world. Today, oil and petroleum products for the largest portion of the country’s exports and government revenue, making Libya among the 15 most thriving economies in Africa.

The Libyan Desert is known for being the harshest, driest, and most remote region of the Sahara. Daytime temperatures reach up to 122 degrees Fahrenheit. The region is also known for going decades without rain.

All the desert tribes collectively are known as the Bedouins. They lead nomadic lives, moving with their livestock or settling in farming villages in oases. The Tuaregs were the original desert traders who transported goods by camels across the desert. With robes dyed with indigo, they are sometimes called the Blue People.

The highest temperature ever recorded in the world was in Al Azizia in Libya with a temperature of 136 degrees Fahrenheit.

Libya's Red Castle was built in the 16th century on the site of a Roman military encampment. It was the seat of power for Ottoman conquerors. The fortress is now one of Libya’s finest museums.

Libya’s poor soils and climatic conditions severely limit how much food can be grown within the country, so it imports about 75 percent of its population’s food.

Libyan tea is as thick as black syrup. Mostly prepared by women, the Libyan tea is very thick as a result of mixing a lot of tea leaves and a high sugar concentration. Once the two ingredients are mixed and an appropriate amount of water is added, the tea boils for 20 to 30 minutes. When the tea is ready, it is served in small pyrex glasses accompanied by sumak and khobza which are Libyan favorite bites.

The people drink green tea after they eat to aid digestion. Tea and coffee are favorite beverages.

Almost one third of the Libyan population does not have access to any safe drinking water.

Libyans are warm and welcoming people. When greeting another, they shake hands and maintain the handshake as long as the verbal greeting is on-going. Men shake with men, but wait for women to initiate a handshake from woman to man.

Saving face is important to Libyans, who are non-confrontational. They avoid disagreeing or saying no.

The biggest meal of the day for Libyan families is lunch and it is of great symbolic importance. Businesses, shops, and schools close for several hours so families may gather together to eat.

Good manners dictate you leave a little food on your plate in Libya to indicate that your host is a gracious and generous provider.

The Acacus Mountains are a group of mountains in the southwestern region of Libya. They are famous for the ancient rock carvings and paintings that are found all over these mountains. The paintings and carvings date back as early as 12,000BC up to 100 AD. They depict daily life situations like people dancing and making music. Other paintings include giraffes, ostriches, elephants, camels and horses.

Libya provides all its citizens with free education.

Alcohol consumption is prohibited by law in Libya.

Libyan citizens are given loans at a zero percent interest rate.

The government provides free houses or apartments to all newly-married couples.