The State of Libya (Darwat Libiya in Arabic) is located on the north coast of Africa between Tunisia in the west and Egypt in the east. The more populated regions of its coastline, Tripolitania in the west and Barqah (Cyrenaica) in the east, are separated by the broad bight of the Gulf of Sidra, the southernmost basin of the Mediterranean Sea. After being ruled for more than 400 years as a province of the Ottoman (Turkish) Empire Libya was colonized by Italy in the early 20th century. After being captured by Allied troops in heavy fighting during World War II the country was under British military rule until it became independent in 1951. Under the rule of the dictator Muammar Gaddafi (1969-2011) Libya was estranged from the West for many years. Gaddafi was overthrown in heavy fighting during 2011. Since then the country has been torn by frequent unrest and civil war to the extent that no part of it has been safe for visitors. The two major combatants signed a ceasefire agreement in October 2020 and a government of national unity was formed in March 2021. Currently there are two rival centers of government in Tripoli and Tobruk, perpetuatig the historic division of Libya into its two geographic regions. Since 2007 Libya has divided officially into 22 districts (shabiyat). For lighthouse fans Libya has been terra incognita for many years. Thanks to Khadija Teri for providing us with several photos taken before 2011 but little is known about many of the other lighthouses. Arabic is the official language of Libya. The Arabic word for a lighthouse is mnarh or manara (منارة). Ra's is a cape, jaza'ir or jazirat is an island, shi'b is a reef, shira' is a bay, and marfa is a harbor. In theory, at least, aids to navigation in Libya should to be maintained by the General Ports and Lights Authority. ARLHS numbers are from the ARLHS World List of Lights. Admiralty numbers are from volume N of the Admiralty List of Lights & Fog Signals. U.S. NGA List numbers are from Publication 113. |
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Tripolitania (Tarabulus) Lighthouses
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Cyrenaica (Barqah) Lighthouses
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Information available on lost lighthouses:
Notable faux lighthouses:
Adjoining pages: East: Mediterranean Egypt | West: Southern Tunisia
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Posted July 5, 2005. Checked and revised August 17, 2025. Lighthouses: 33. Site copyright 2025 Russ Rowlett and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.