Tripoli is the largest city and capital of Libya. It is also known as Western Tripoli (Arabic: Ṭarābulus al Gharb), to distinguish it from Tripoli, Lebanon. It is affectionately called The Mermaid of the Mediterranean or Bride of the Sea (Arabic:), describing its turquoise waters and its white wash buildings.Tripoli /ˈtrɪpɵli/ is a Greek name that means "Three Cities". It is in Arabic: Ṭarābulus About this sound pronunciation (help·info), Libyan Arabic: Ṭrābləs About this sound pronunciation (help·info), Berber: Ṭrables, from Ancient Greek: Τρίπολις Trípolis "Three Cities").The Tripoli metropolitan area (district area) has a population of 1,065,405 (2006 census). The city is located in the northwest of the country on the edge of the desert, on a point of rocky land projecting into the Mediterranean Sea and forming a bay. The city is the principal sea port, and the largest commercial and manufacturing centre in Libya. It is also the site of Al-Fateh University.Tripoli was founded in the 7th century BC by the Phoenicians, who named it Oea.[1] Due to the city's long history, there are many sites of archaeological significance in Tripoli.
The climate is typical Mediterranean, with hot, dry summers, and cool winters with modest rainfall.
