ABSTRACT
Libya, a geographic label used by Herodotus and other classical authors, refers historically to the large land mass stretching between Egypt in the east and ancient Carthage in the west. Anthropologists have had relatively infrequent opportunities to do extensive field research in Libya. In the absence of major technological infrastructure, the geography of Libya rigidly constrains the types of settlement possible. In 1976, Libyans representing the Ministry of Municipalities requested technical assistance from the UN for the design of a national physical-perspective plan for the year 2000. A primary objective of Libyan policy was to create conditions of equity on a national level. In general terms, the team found the Libyan national policy of a balanced spatial and social distribution of resources to be sensible. Dramatic political changes, increased revenues from oil, and the introduction of strong national-planning policy guidelines in Libya had culminated in a development program of ambitious proportions.
