Tripoli is the capital of Libya. The city is located in the northwest of the country; it lies on the edge of the desert, on a point of rocky land projecting into the Mediterranean Sea and forming a bay. The city was founded in the 7th century BC by the Phoenicians, who named it Oea.
Tripoli is the largest city, the principal sea port, and the largest commercial and manufacturing centre in Libya. It is also the seat of the national government and the site of Al-Fateh University. Due to the city's long history, there are many sites of archeological significance in Tripoli. The climate is typical Mediterranean, with hot dry summers, cool winters, and some modest rainfall.