Within Libya as many as five different climatic zones have been recognized, but the dominant climatic influences are Mediterranean and Saharan.
Libya is a large country with a relatively small population, but the population is concentrated very narrowly along the coast. Population density is about 50 persons per km² (130/sq. mi.) in the two northern regions of Tripolitania and Cyrenaica, but falls to less than one person per km² (2.6/sq. mi.) elsewhere.
At times politically unstable, Libya has never enjoyed the tourism swell that its myriad cultural, historical and natural attractions merit. One potential tourist calling card lies in the country's colorful festivals.