Benghazi facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Benghazi بنغازي
Downtown Benghazi
Country	Libya
Region	Cyrenaica
District	Benghazi
Settled	as Euesperides (circa 525 BC)
Renamed	• Berenice (circa middle of 3rd century BC)  • Hesperides  • Barneeq (circa middle of 7th century AD)  • Marsa ibn Ghazi (circa 16th century)  • Bani Ghazi  • Benghazi
Area
•	314 km2 (121 sq mi)
Elevation	2 m (7 ft)
Population  (2011)
• Total	over 650,000
Time zone	UTC+2
Area code(s)	061

Benghazi is a city and district in Libya. It is the second largest city in the country with 670,797 people (2006). It is also the capital of the Cyrenaica region. It was the former provisional capital of the National Transitional Council. It is on the Mediterranean Sea.

The oldest university in Libya is the University of Libya in the city. Libyan International Medical University is the first accredited private medical university.

Two of Libya's most-successful football clubs are in the city. They are Al-Ahly Benghazi and Al-Nasr. The two teams have won the Libyan Premier League five times.

Images for kids

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  A panathenaic amphora found in Benghazi from the times of Euesperides, the ancient Greek city that is now Benghazi.

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  The Ottoman flag is raised during Mawlid celebrations in Benghazi in 1896.

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  The colonial Italians created the "Lungomare" (sea-walk) of Benghazi and constructed many other buildings

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  Littorio Palace in Benghazi was the seat of the Cyrenaican regional assembly

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  Maydan al-Shajara, in central Benghazi in 1964

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  Court square in Benghazi, April 2011. At the central place for gatherings and demonstrations the walls are draped with pictures of casualties, mourners passing by.

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  A large crowd of anti-Gaddafi protesters from in and around Benghazi took to the streets on 6 July 2011, amassing in front of the Kateba and the courtyard.

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  A young Benghazian carrying (deposed) King Idris' photo. Support of the Senussi dynasty has traditionally been strong in Cyrenaica.

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  There are 32 Mu'tamarat Sha'bia in the District of Benghazi.

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  Benghazi district between 2001 and 2007.

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  Benghazi district since 2007.

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  Omar Al Mukhtar Street in the Italian quarter was traditionally home to an urbane demographic, before many families left the old town to resettle elsewhere in the city.

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  The Atiq Mosque in Maydan al-Baladiya is the oldest mosque in Benghazi. The majority of people in the city are Sunni Muslims.

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  Al Manar Royal Palace in central Benghazi, University of Libya's first campus, founded by royal decree in 1955

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  Satellite image of Benghazi

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  Al-Buduzeera is one of the largest and most popular parks in Benghazi.

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  The cubic tower block Al Da'waa al-Islamiya is an important office building in Benghazi; many small and large companies in the city are based in the tower.

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  The Jeliana Bridge connects Jeliana with the city centre and old town.

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  Benghazi Zoo (al-Bosco) in al-Fuwayhat, one of Benghazi's greenest and wealthiest neighbourhoods.

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  Al-Berka Palace in Benghazi was built in two parts. The front façade was built by the Ottomans in the late 19th century, the two side sections were later added during Italian rule.

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  Italian lighthouse in Benghazi, built in 1922 during Italian colonial rule.