Bayda, Libya facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Bayda البيضاء El Beida
City
Al Akhdar, Bayda
Bayda, Libya Location in Libya
Country	Libya
Region	Cyrenaica
District	Jabal al Akhdar
Settled	• Balagrae (circa early 1st millennium BCE)  • az-Zawiyya al-Bayda (in 1840)  • Beda Littoria (in 1933)  • Al-Bayda (Elbeida) (in 1950s)
Elevation	623 m (2,044 ft)
Population  (2010)
• Total	380,000
Time zone	UTC+2 (EET)
License Plate Code	2

Bayda, also called Elbeida, is a busy city in eastern Libya. It is a major center for business and industry. Located in northern Cyrenaica, Bayda is the 4th-largest city in Libya. It has about 380,000 people and is the capital of the Jabal al Akhdar district.

History of Bayda

Bayda has a very long history. It goes back to ancient times when it was known as Balagrae. Close by are the 2000-year-old ruins of the ancient Greek city of Cyrene.

How did Bayda get its name?

One of the city's most famous places is the tomb of Ruwaifi bin Thabit al-Ansari. He was a companion of the Islamic prophet Muhammad. Because of him, the city was once called Sidi Rafaa. Later, in the 1800s, a religious school called a zāwiyah was built. The city was then renamed az-Zāwiyat al-Bayḍāʾ.

The name Bayḍāʾ means "white" in Arabic. The religious school was painted white and sat on a high hill. You could see it clearly from far away. So, people called it "the White Monastery." Over time, the word zāwiyah was dropped, and the city became known simply as al-Bayḍāʾ.

The ruins of the ancient Greek city of Balagrae in Bayda.

When the Greeks first started the settlement, they called it Balagrae. During Italian rule, the city was known as Beda Littoria. The zāwiyah in Bayda was very important for the Senussi movement. It was also the political capital of the Kingdom of Libya until a change in government in 1969. The old zāwiyah still stands today near Omar Al-Mukhtar University.

Modern Bayda

The modern city of Bayda was built in the 1950s. It was planned to be Libya's new capital. Many government buildings were constructed there. However, the plan to move the capital from Tripoli to Bayda was eventually canceled. During the First Libyan Civil War, Bayda was one of the first cities to be taken by anti-government forces.

Geography and Nature

A snowy road on the outskirts of the city

Bayda is famous for its nearby valleys and forests. These are special because they are not found in other cities of the 'Green Mountains'. The area is called the "Green Mountains" (or Akhdar Mountains) because it has thick forests. The highest point in these mountains is about 850 meters (2,789 feet) high.

Plants and Animals

The Akhdar mountain range is part of a Mediterranean forest area. It has many native plants similar to those in Greece, Italy, and Spain. There are about 1,800 types of trees, plants, and flowers. You can find many kinds of oak, juniper, pine, and olive trees.

The mountains have many natural springs. This makes them one of the most fertile areas along the coast. The forests and springs provide a home for many different birds and animals.

Local Farming

Farmers in Bayda grow many fruit trees. These include apples, grapes, and nuts. They also grow medicinal plants like thyme and rosemary. In the past, a special plant called Silphium grew here. It was very valuable but is now thought to be extinct.

Honey is also a big product in this region. The best honey comes from bees that feed on thyme and lotus plants. Honey from the cove region is even believed to help with some liver diseases.

What is Bayda's climate like?

Bayda has a mild Mediterranean climate. It gets about 540 millimeters (21 inches) of rain each year. The city is known for its snowfalls and heavy rains. In summer, temperatures can reach 30°C (86°F). But in winter, it can snow and get very cold. Bayda is sometimes called the "City of Snow" because of this. Its high altitude and northern location help it get snow, unlike other coastal areas in Libya.

New Bayda neighborhood

Economy and Tourism

Bayda is a major economic center in eastern Libya. It is important for industry and trade. The city makes food products, fertilizers, and farm goods. It also processes food and handles imported goods. Many products from nearby villages, like grains, dates, olives, and meat, come through Bayda. The city has one of Libya's most important markets for vegetables and fruits. This is because of its naturally fertile land.

Banking and Business

Banking is also a big part of Bayda's economy. The National Commercial Bank in the city is the second largest bank in Libya. Other big banks are also located here. Large national companies, like Brega Oil Marketing Company, are important to the city's economy. In recent years, international stores like United Colors of Benetton and Nike have opened in Bayda.

Exploring Bayda: A Tourist Spot

Tourism in Libya is still growing. Bayda is an important city for tourists. It is a great base to visit nearby ancient Greek ruins like Cyrene and Apollonia. You can also take trips into the Libyan Desert from here. The area has several large hotels for visitors.

People and Culture

Bayda has a mix of different people, like other cities in Libya. Most people in eastern Libya, including Bayda, are of Arab descent. The first people here were Berbers. From the 7th century BCE to the 7th century CE, Greeks were the main group. More recently, people from other parts of Africa and Egypt have moved to Bayda. There is also a small Greek community. Many families in Bayda have last names from the Greek island of Crete, which is not far away.

Historically, the Barasa clan controlled Bayda and its surrounding areas. Today, many Libyans from different parts of the country have moved to the city.

Learning in Bayda

Education in Bayda is free for all Libyan citizens. It is also required up to ninth grade. The city has many public primary and secondary schools. There are also some private and international schools. Omar Al-Mukhtar University is the second largest university in Libya. It was the first Islamic university in the country. Now, it has 14 colleges in several cities, including Tobruq and Derna, Libya.

Religion in Bayda

The main religion in Bayda is Islam. Almost everyone in the city is a Sunni Muslim. During Muslim holidays like Ramadan, most people do not eat during the day. Restaurants are usually empty until evening. Alcohol is not allowed in Bayda or anywhere in Libya, following Islamic rules. Family life is very important in Bayda. Most teenagers and young adults live at home until they get married.

There are many mosques in the city. The oldest and most famous is the Ruwayfi bin Thabit Al-Ansari Mosque. There is also a small Christian community in Bayda. The Maria Immacolata Parish Church serves the Catholic community. There is also a Protestant church.

Sports in Bayda

Bayda has some of the best sports facilities in Libya. The city has many sports centers, including football stadiums. Football is the most popular sport in Bayda. One of the country's most successful football clubs, Alakhdhar, is based here.

The biggest sports center is the Medina al-Riyadhia (Sports City). It has the Al Bayda Stadium and a basketball stadium. Judo and taekwondo are also popular sports for men. In recent years, rugby sevens has become very successful, with three clubs. Gyms are also becoming more popular as people want to live healthier lives.

Getting Around Bayda

The Libyan Coastal Highway with a bridge near Bayda.

Traffic in Bayda can get busy.

Roads in Bayda

Bayda is located on the historic Libyan Coastal Highway. The city's local roads are generally well-designed. There are highways, overpasses, and underpasses that help traffic move. However, roads are not always well-maintained. They can have unclear markings or potholes. More cars on the road mean that traffic jams and a lack of parking are common. Road accidents are also increasing.

Public Transport

Bayda does not have a big public transport system. But a popular system of small buses has grown. These microbuses cover many areas of the city. They run on set routes, and passengers can get on and off anywhere. You can also find international bus services to cities like Cairo and Alexandria in Egypt.

Future Railways

As of 2010, work was starting on a new rail network in northern Libya. A Russian company is building it. In the future, there might be train links to Tunisia and Egypt. This would create a coastal rail network across North Africa.

Air Travel

The Al Abraq International Airport serves Bayda. It has flights within Libya and to other countries.

Famous People from Bayda

• Mabrouka al-Tabiba, a well-known midwife.

Sister Cities

Bayda is connected with these cities:

Images for kids

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  Al Akhdar, Bayda

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  A snowy road on the outskirts of the city

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  New Bayda neighborhood

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  Libyan Coastal Highway with bridge overpass, to the east of Bayda

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  Traffic congestion in Bayda