List of Libya Districts and Capitals

Libya is a country located in North Africa. It is divided into 22 districts, also known as municipalities or shabiyat, each with its own administrative structure. However, it's important to note that the district boundaries and administrative divisions in Libya have been subject to changes due to ongoing political developments in the country. Here are the districts that were in place before the 2011 Libyan Civil War:

Libya is a North African country located along the Mediterranean Sea and bordered by Egypt, Sudan, Chad, Niger, Algeria, and Tunisia. The country is divided into 22 districts, also known as شعبية (shabiyat), for administrative purposes. Tripoli is the national capital and also the largest city in Libya.

The country includes vast desert regions, Mediterranean coastline, oases, mountains, and oil-producing areas spread across the Sahara. Different districts are known for petroleum resources, coastal trade, agriculture near oasis settlements, and historic cultural sites.

Key Facts

• National capital: Tripoli
• Total population: 7,300,000 (Official estimate 2025)
• Total area: 1,759,541 km² (679,362 sq miles)
• Currency: Libyan Dinar (LYD)
• Bordering countries: Egypt, Sudan, Chad, Niger, Algeria, Tunisia
• Total Districts: 22
• Total Municipal Areas: 100+

List of Districts and Capitals of Libya

Total districts shown: 22 | Combined population: 7,300,000 | Combined area: 1,759,541 km²

Largest Districts by Area

• Al Kufrah - 186,684 sq mi (483,510 km²)
• Murzuq - 135,054 sq mi (349,790 km²)
• Al Jufrah - 45,332 sq mi (117,410 km²)
• Sabha - 39,116 sq mi (101,310 km²)
• Wadi al Shatii - 37,513 sq mi (97,160 km²)
• Nalut - 36,239 sq mi (93,860 km²)
• Al Butnan - 32,378 sq mi (83,860 km²)
• Sirte - 29,985 sq mi (77,660 km²)

Most Populous Districts

• Tripoli - Population: 1,250,000 (Official Estimate 2025)
• Benghazi - Population: 850,000 (Official Estimate 2025)
• Misrata - Population: 620,000 (Official Estimate 2025)
• Murqub - Population: 540,000 (Official Estimate 2025)
• Al Jafara - Population: 420,000 (Official Estimate 2025)
• Al Jabal al Gharbi - Population: 330,000 (Official Estimate 2025)
• Zawiya - Population: 320,000 (Official Estimate 2025)
• Nuqat al Khams - Population: 310,000 (Official Estimate 2025)

Smallest Districts by Area

• Tripoli - 154 sq mi (400 km²)
• Nuqat al Khams - 264 sq mi (683 km²)
• Al Jafara - 749 sq mi (1,940 km²)
• Misrata - 1,069 sq mi (2,770 km²)
• Zawiya - 1,116 sq mi (2,890 km²)
• Zawiya West - 1,544 sq mi (4,000 km²)

Districts by Regional Grouping

• Capital Region: Tripoli
• Tripolitania: Al Jafara
• Tripolitania Coast: Murqub
• Tripolitania Highlands: Tarhuna
• Northwestern Coast: Nuqat al Khams, Zawiya, Zawiya West
• Northwestern Highlands: Al Jabal al Gharbi
• Western Mountains: Nalut
• Eastern Coast: Benghazi, Derna
• Eastern Libya: Al Butnan
• Cyrenaica Highlands: Al Jabal al Akhdar
• Central Coast: Misrata, Sirte
• Central Sahara: Al Jufrah
• Fezzan: Sabha
• Southern Sahara: Murzuq
• Southern Interior: Wadi al Shatii
• Southwestern Sahara: Ghat, Wadi al Hayaa
• Southeastern Sahara: Al Kufrah

Landlocked Districts

• Al Jabal al Akhdar
• Al Jabal al Gharbi
• Al Jufrah
• Al Kufrah
• Ghat
• Murzuq
• Nalut
• Sabha
• Tarhuna
• Wadi al Hayaa
• Wadi al Shatii

Districts with Coastline

• Al Butnan
• Al Jafara
• Benghazi
• Derna
• Misrata
• Murqub
• Nuqat al Khams
• Sirte
• Tripoli
• Zawiya
• Zawiya West

Districts Sharing Borders with Other Countries

• Egypt: Al Butnan
• Sudan: Al Kufrah
• Chad: Al Kufrah, Murzuq
• Niger: Ghat, Murzuq
• Algeria: Ghat, Nalut
• Tunisia: Nalut, Nuqat al Khams, Zawiya West

Sources

• Libyan Bureau of Statistics and Census
• World Bank - Libya Data
• CIA World Factbook - Libya
• Encyclopaedia Britannica - Libya
• Government of Libya