LIBYA

geographical name the part of Africa N of the Sahara between Egypt & Syrtis Major (Gulf of Sidra) , N Africa W of Egypt , country N Africa bordering on the Mediterranean; a colony of Italy 1912-43, an independent kingdom 1951-69, a republic since 1969 capital Tripoli area 679,358 square miles (1,766,331 square kilometers ), population 4,573,000