Akhḍar Mountains

Akhḍar Mountains

▪ mountains, Libya
Arabic  Al-jabal Al-akhḍar,  also spelled  Gebel El-achdar,  

      mountain range of northeastern Libya that extends along the Mediterranean coast for about 100 miles (160 km) in an east-northeasterly direction between the towns of al-Marj and Darnah. Rising sharply in two steps, the first reaching 985 feet (300 m) and the second about 1,800 feet (550 m), the limestone range (about 20 miles [32 km] wide) then blends into a plateau crowned by hills attaining elevations of nearly 3,000 feet (900 m). It descends eastward to the barren, stony terrain of al-Buṭnān and southward to the Libyan Sahara. Dissected by river valleys, the mountain chain is covered with sparse low bush, remnants of scrub forest, and scattered cultivation. It has a comparatively high rainfall (15–20 inches [375–500 mm] annually) and high humidity, but periodic drought does occur.

      The Akhḍar (Arabic: “Green”) presented the most promising area of Cyrenaica and was colonized by the Italians in the 1930s. The settlements, interrupted during World War II and later deserted, have now been reoccupied by Libyans. Livestock herding (camels, goats, and sheep) among the mountains involves a degree of nomadism, and there is limited agriculture, notably in the al-Marj plain and around Darnah, producing grain, olives, grapes, and almonds. A large agricultural project in the area has improved reclamation and irrigation. The mountain chain was a major battleground during World War II.

* * *


Universalium. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем решить контрольную работу

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Jebel Akhdar (Oman) — Also known as the camals hideout;The Jebel Akhdar, Jabal Akhdar or Al Jabal Al Akhdar (Arabic: الجبل الأخضر meaning The Green Mountain ) is part of the Al Hajar Mountains range in Oman, which extends about 300 km northwest to southeast, between… …   Wikipedia

  • Djebel Akhdar (Oman) — 23° 06′ N 57° 24′ E / 23.1, 57.4 …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Al Hajar Mountains — The Hajar Mountains ( ar. جبال الحجر) (Arabic for stone mountains ) is a mountain range in northeastern Oman and also the eastern United Arab Emirates. They separate the low coastal plain of Oman from the high desert plateau, and lie 50 100 km… …   Wikipedia

  • Nafusa Mountains — الجبل الغربي, جبال نفوسة …   Wikipedia

  • Acacus Mountains — in western Libya, part of the Sahara Rock Art Sites of Tadrart Acacus * …   Wikipedia

  • Libya — /lib ee euh/, n. 1. Anc. Geog. the part of N Africa W of Egypt. 2. Italian, Libia. a republic in N Africa between Tunisia and Egypt: formerly a monarchy 1951 69. 5,648,359; 679,400 sq. mi. (1,759,646 sq. km). Cap.: Tripoli. * * * Libya… …   Universalium

  • North Africa — North African. the northern part of Africa, esp. the region north of the tropical rain forest and comprised of Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, and that part of Egypt west of the Gulf of Suez. * * * Introduction       region of Africa comprising …   Universalium

  • Mediterranean woodlands and forests — Marj escarpment, Jebel Akhdar mountains, northeastern Libya. Al Bakour escarpment, Je …   Wikipedia

  • Operation Compass — Part of the Western Desert Campaign of World War II Italian soldiers taken prisoner during Operation Compass …   Wikipedia

  • Derna waterfalls — (Arabic: شلال درنة‎) is a fresh water waterfall in the Jebel Akhdar Mountains, south of the city of Derna, in the northern Cyrenaica region of eastern Libya. The falls have a drop of about 20 metres (70 feet). They are located approximately… …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”