Some peoples' idea of a dream vacation is lounging by the pool or at the shoreline, drinking drinks with umbrellas in them. Still other people dream of vacations where they can shop and eat to their heart's content. Then there is a different type of vacationer: the educational vacationer. These are the people who like to dive headfirst into the history and the culture of a country. While these explorers enjoy their beach-front cocktails, it's the firsthand exploration of a country that is their forte. Libya is a country that calls these sorts of people. Full of archaeological sites and ancient places to visit, Libya is full of things to explore. Just know that you will need a passport if you are thinking of visiting one of these places. Go to an online passport office to get the process started.
Getting passports online is quick, easy, secure, and efficient - much more so than the traditional passport process. With online services, you are able to choose from many different services - such as getting your US passport renewal expedited. Expedited renewal means getting your passport as quickly as you need it.
Libya's history goes way back to 8000 BC, when it was populated by a people called the Berbers. It's occupation changed as the country continued to grow, and it was occupied at least at one point by a multitude of civilizations: the Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Greeks, Persian Empire, Romans, Vandals, Arabs, Turks and Byzantines. This resulted in the unique culture that Libya has today. Cyrene, an ancient settlement of the Greeks, is one of the most important and exciting archaeological sites to explore. Cyrene has a long history, and it even is home to its own branch of philosophy - Cyrenaics. Be sure to stop and see the Temple of Apollo, dated back to the 7th century BC, as well as the Temples of Demeter and Zeus.
In the Libyan desert lies the Acacus Mountains, also known as Tadrat Acacus. This site is important because it houses some of the oldest prehistoric rock art in the world. Dated back to 12,000 BC, this rock art displays the day to day lives of those who lived in the region, when it was greener and wetter back in those days, showing nature, animals, and humans as well.
The ancient city of Ghadames is another interesting place to visit. It's a very old town where people still live today. It was built in an oasis, which is the reason it has been able to survive so well out in the desert. Inhabited since the first century BC, this area is home to about 7,000 Tuareg Berbers. This site is famous for its houses and other buildings, which were made from mud, lime, and palm tree trunks, and are therefore exceptionally good at keeping out the desert heat.
Sabratha is yet another ancient archaeological site. This ancient Phoenician trading post was build in 500 BC. The people who inhabited this area - the Phoenicians - were a fabled warrior people who built huge buildings, as seen in this site. The three-story tall buildings and mosaics around the site go to show just what sort of civilization the Phoenicians were.
For anyone interested in anthropology, history, or archaeology, Libya is the place to visit. Or if you don't like these subjects, consider visiting to gain at least an appreciation for those who lived tens and hundreds of thousands of years before us and got us to where we are today. Begin your journey by visiting an online passport office like US Passport Now. From these sites, you can get your US passport renewal expedited, or choose from a variety of other helpful services.
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