The Largest Cities in Libya by Area

We present to you the largest cities in Libya by area, as Libya is a country located in the African continent along the eastern coast. To the east, there is the Republic of Egypt, to the south is the city of Sudan, and to the west is the city of Algeria. Libya is one of the oil-rich countries, and through this article, we will showcase the largest cities in Libya by area.

The State of Libya

The name Libya is an ancient name dating back more than 2000 years BC, originally called Lobia, and later officially recognized internationally as Libya. The area of Libya is 1.8 million square kilometers, ranking fourth in area in Africa and seventeenth in the world.
It ranks ninth among the ten countries with the largest oil reserves in the world. The capital of Libya is the city of Tripoli, which has a large area and a population exceeding one million. The official language in Libya is Arabic, and the inhabitants call themselves Libyans.

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Cities of Libya

There are many cities in Libya with significant areas, including:

The city of Tripoli

The population of Tripoli is approximately 7 million, and its area is about 3 million square kilometers. It is located in the northwest of Libya and serves as an important commercial center. In the seventh century, the Phoenicians named it Oea, followed by occupations by Romans, Byzantines, Arabs, Spaniards, and Turks. Italy controlled the city until 1943, and then the British occupied it until 1951 when Libya declared independence. Tripoli became a center of trade and diversified industries, including food and tobacco production, textiles, and construction materials.
The inhabitants of Tripoli include Berbers, Arabs, and migrants from Egypt, Greece, India, Tunisia, and Pakistan. The city has many historical attractions such as the Red Castle, Darghout Mosque, the Qaraman House, Martyrs’ Square, and Janzour Museum. Tripoli suffers from high population density, causing congestion and traffic jams due to the influx of many migrants, given its proximity to European countries.

The city of  Benghazi

Benghazi ranks second in population with approximately 1.1 million inhabitants and an area of 43,535 square kilometers. It borders the Mediterranean Sea and is an important center for trade, economy, and culture. The city hosts various activities such as fishing, oil refining, food processing, cement, salt, textiles, and construction products. The population consists of Arabs and migrants.

The city of  Misrata

Misrata ranks third in area with an area of 2,770 square kilometers and a population of about 300 thousand. Located in the northwest of Libya, Misrata is approximately 208 kilometers away from Tripoli. Its strategic location forms one of the most important trade routes. The city features streets and buildings with a unique architectural style, encapsulating authentic Arab character. Misrata is known for its fertile land and hosts a steel factory, the only one among other cities.

The city of Al-Bayda

Al-Bayda holds the fourth rank concerning the largest cities by area. It was historically known as Blagrai or the White Corners, renowned for its snowy ambiance. The area is approximately 11,429 square kilometers, hosting around 200 thousand residents. Al-Bayda served as the capital of ancient Libya from 1963 to 1969 and is home to the Libyan parliament, earning it the title “Bride of the Green Mountain.”

The city of Brega

Brega is located in the northeastern part of Libya and is known as the first station where the oil pipeline crosses. It has an ammonia processing plant and a facility for liquefying natural gas. The city houses companies for electricity generation and fertilizer production, making it a center of petrochemicals due to its strategic location connecting Tripoli and Benghazi.
The city of Ghadames is located in the southwest of Tripoli, on the borders with Tunisia and Algeria. The climate in Ghadames is desert-like, with hot, dry weather in summer and mild temperatures in winter, marked by significant temperature differences.

The city of Tobruk

Tobruk is known for its fertile land that supplies other cities with various agricultural crops. It features a port, famously known as the Tobruk commercial port, and is located in the northeastern part of Libya.

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Ranking of Cities in Libya by Area

The ranking of cities in Libya by area, ordered from largest to smallest, is as follows:

1. The city of Tripoli
2. The city of Benghazi
3. The city of Misrata
4. The city of Al-Bayda
5. The city of Al-Zawiya
6. The city of Zliten

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Ranking of Cities in Libya by Population

The cities are ranked from largest to smallest in population as follows:

1. The city of Tripoli
2. The city of Benghazi
3. The city of Misrata
4. The city of Tarhuna
5. The city of Al-Khums
6. The city of Al-Zawiya
7. The city of Ajdabia

Largest Cities in Libya

• The city of Brega
• The city of Al-Bayda
• The city of Benghazi
• The city of Tobruk
• The city of Tripoli
• The city of Ghadames
• The city of Misrata