Off limits to most Americans and Europeans since the mid-1980's, Libya's rich history and culture have been little experienced by western tourists. This country boasts five UNESCO World Heritage Sites - Cyrene, Leptis Magna, Sabratha, the old town of Ghadames, and the rock art sites of Tadrart Akakus in the southern desert - and is a virtual treasure trove of archaeological remains.

Its advantageous harbours and rich soil drew colonists from Phoenicia and Greece, and later attracted Roman, Byzantine and Arab conquerors. The legacy left behind by Libya's past occupants - impressive temples, magnificent theaters, exquisite churches and formidable castles, all preserved to an astonishing degree - serve as a magnet to draw visitors today.