James Baquet The north African country of Libya should be a prime tourism destination. Leptis Magna, a prominent Roman city considered to be one of the best preserved Roman ruins in the Mediterranean, is there, and, with four other UNESCO Heritage sites — a Greek city, a Phoenician colony, an ancient Berber oasis and a group of rock art sites dating back as far as 12,000 years — would be well worth a visit. All five have been placed on UNESCO’s list of World Heritage in Danger because of conflict in the country. Not that we could see them anyway, as most countries are discouraging their citizens from visiting Libya. The United States State Department has placed the country at Level 4: Do Not Travel due to “crime, terrorism, civil unrest and armed conflict.” In 2017, over 25 countries took the same step. A number of foreign embassies have been closed, as have some international airports; even those that are open offer flights sporadically. Tourism infrastructure is also wanting. The title of this article is from the country’s national anthem, as it seems to have no tourism slogan. The most up-to-date information says Libya is not even issuing tourist visas. It really is a shame. In addition to the UNESCO sites, Libya offers the Red Castle in Tripoli, Libya’s capital, Benghazi’s Italian Quarter and the oasis towns of the Sahara. Located between the Mediterranean and the desert, with Tunisia and Algeria to the west, Niger and Chad to the south, and the Sudan and Egypt to the east, it is a country of stunning natural and cultural beauty, as well as people who are warm and welcoming. Libya is primarily Muslim in religion and Arabic in language, along with Berber languages, English, and — surprisingly, until one looks at a map — Italian. Italy is due north across the sea. Libya is the world’s 16th largest country in area, and Africa’s fourth. Its population, however, ranks 108th. It also has the world’s 10th-largest proven oil reserves. Vocabulary: Which word above means: 1. of the nomadic people of north Africa 2. patriotic or spiritual song 3. what’s left of buildings and other structures 4. occasionally, not all the time 5. battles between people and their governments 6. mainly, of the most importance 7. sea peoples originally from the Middle East 8. place with water in what is otherwise a desert 9. trying to persuade not to 10. giving out, distributing | 