Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - libya

 geographical name  1. the part of Africa N of the Sahara between Egypt & Syrtis Major (Gulf of Sidra) — an ancient name  2. N Africa W of Egypt — an ancient name  3. country N Africa bordering on the Mediterranean; a colony of Italy 1912-43, an independent kingdom 1951-69, a republic since 1969 capital Tripoli area 679,358 square miles (1,766,331 square kilometers), population 4,573,000