Now that it has rejoined the world's mainstream, Libya reveals itself as a grand destination. Our travelers have marveled at its Roman and Greek ruins--some of the best in the world--they've been enraptured by its deserts and serene oases, and they've been welcomed by a proud folk, pleased to be visited.

• TOTAL AREA: 1,759,540 sq km

• LAND AREA: 1,759,540 sq km

• WATER AREA: 0 sq km

• POPULATION: 5,900,754

• RELIGIONS: Sunni Muslim 97%

• LANGUAGES: Arabic, Italian, English, all are widely understood in the major cities

• GOVERNMENT TYPE: Jamahiriya (a state of the masses) in theory, governed by the populace through local councils; in fact, a military dictatorship

• CAPITAL CITY: Tripoli

• OFFICIAL CURRENCY: Libyan dinar (LYD)

• TIME ZONE: GMT/UTC + 2