Misrata
 |
This article may require cleanup to meet Wikipedia's quality standards. (Consider using more specific cleanup instructions.) Please help improve this article if you can. The talk page may contain suggestions. (December 2007) |
 |
This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (December 2009) |
| Misrata مصراتة |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
 Misrata
|
|
| Coordinates: 32°22′39.12″N 15°05′31.26″E / 32.3775333°N 15.0920167°ECoordinates: 32°22′39.12″N 15°05′31.26″E / 32.3775333°N 15.0920167°E | |
| Country |  Libya |
| District | Misrata |
| Population (2011)[1] | |
| - Total | 350,000 |
| Time zone | UTC + 2 |
| Area code(s) | 31 |
Misrata /mɪzˈrɑːtə/ (Arabic: مصراتة Mişrātah, Libyan Arabic: IPA: [məsˤˈrˤɑːtæ]), also spelled Misurata or Misratah,[2][3] is a city in Misrata District in north western Libya, situated 210 km (130 mi) to the east of Tripoli on the Mediterranean coast near Cape Misrata.
With a population of just over 350,000, Misrata is the third largest city in Libya, after Tripoli and Benghazi. It is the capital city of Misrata District and has been called the business capital of Libya. The harbor is at Qasr Ahmed.
As part of the 2011 Libyan civil war, the city was reported to have fallen under the control of the Libyan opposition.[4][5] The Battle of Misrata, that erupted in February 24, was renewed with shelling on March 20 and pro-Gaddafi tanks pushing forward to the city center. On 20 March 2011 the city was, according to an eyewitness report aired on BBC News, in the process of being 'razed to the ground'. Eyewitnesses reported that pro-Gaddafi soldiers were shooting, killing and injuring unarmed civilians.[6]
For over 70 days, the city was shelled by artillery, tanks, and snipers, and for over 40 days had its water supply intentionally shut off by Muammar Gaddafi's forces. As supplies ran short, hundreds of thousands were at risk of death.[7]
Contents |
[edit] Etymology
Semitic etymology for Misrata is rellated to its location on the east of the Punic, Semitic-speaking Carthage. Using East as a name for a place is common in other Semitic languages, i.e.: Mishrak in Arabic, Misrakh in Sabaean, Mizrakh in Hebrew.
[edit] History
Misrata was established around the 7th-century during the beginning of modern Libya's rule by the Islamic Caliphate.[8] It began as a major caravan supply center and was referred to "Thubaqt".[8] Some contemporary sources say the town existed before Islamic rule, during the Roman Empire era and that its initial Arabic name derived from its Roman name "Thubactis." D. J. Mattingly, author of Tripoltania, a comprehensive reference book on northwestern Libya, stated that identification of Misrata as the ancient "Thubactis" is particularly problematic, complicated and "defies an easy answer." Nonetheless the Roman town is variously located somewhere on the oasis which the modern city sits on. The two common identifications are at the eastern and western anchorages of modern Misrata or south and inland of the city. The Roman town was recorded as one of the six municipia (small city) of the Tripolitania province, a rank below coloniae (major city.)[9]
It is possible to reconcile the two theories by assuming that the city was initially founded by the Romans and was then known as Tubartis but later (after a period of disappearance or in a slightly different location) it was refounded by the Muslim conquests and named Thubactis. In any case, in the 7th Century, it served as a caravan supply centre.[8]
[edit] Civil War
During the 2011 Libyan civil war, the city was controlled by anti-Gaddafi forces, but government shelling began on March 20 and pro-Gaddafi tanks pushed forward to the city center.[10] On March 25 it was reported that NATO bombing missions had broken the strangle hold of Gaddafi's forces on the city, although snipers were still reported to be operating within the city.[11] Heavy house-to-house-fighting continued, even after a Gaddafi spokesman announced on April 23 the troops were withdrawing from the city.[12] In early May, the rebels successfully retook the city in a counter-attack culminating in the fall of the airport and nearby military airbase on 11 May, thus winning a decisive victory over the pro-Gaddafi forces.
[edit] Geography
Misrata lies on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea 211 km (131 mi) East of Tripoli and 825 km (513 mi) west of Benghazi. The location of the city creates a dualism of sea and sand, bounded by the sea to the north and east and to the south by golden sands dotted with palm and olive trees. Green plains encircle the center of the town, which contains modern buildings, wide streets, large factories such as the iron and steel complex and carpet and textile factories and a number of establishments, companies and trade centers.
Aside from its distinct location, which makes it a centre for the exchange of commodities and materials with the rest of the cities of the country, Misrata enjoys a modern infrastructure, including new roads, electricity and communications. It is also the seat of many national companies such as the Libyan Ports Company, Libyan Iron and Steel Company, the Libyan publishing, distribution and Advertising Company. Besides that it has branches of public and private sector banks and one locally and privately owned bank.
[edit] Economy
Misrata today is a modern prosperous city and is known to be the richest city in Libya income wise, with light industries (carpets, dairy products and textiles among many others) and heavy industries (iron and steel industrial complex). The city has a great potential for expansion since it attracts a lot of internal immigration and is surrounded by uninhabited flat land with no obstacles. There is a port in the neighbouring town of Qasr Ahmad.
[edit] Education
Misrata University, with its 15 faculties, is located in the city. There are several higher education institutions including a number of university faculties that are administratively linked to universities of other cities in Libya (e.g. Al-Tahadi University of Sirte and Al Fateh University of Tripoli).
[edit] Football clubs
- Asswehly (founded 1944)
- Alhiyad (founded 1965)
- Aschumooe S.C.
- Alahly Misurata
- Attahaddy Tummina
- Attasaddy S.C.
- Aljihad S.C.
[edit] Transport
A railway line and port is proposed in 2008. It is also served by Misrata Airport.
[edit] People born in Misrata
- Daniel Bogdanović, footballer
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Der Spiegel, 2011 Aug 23
- ^ "مصراتة: Libya". Geographical Names. http://www.geographic.org/geographic_names/name_non-roman_misrata_libya.html. Retrieved 2011-02-26.
- ^ "Mişrātah: Libya". Geographical Names. http://www.geographic.org/geographic_names/name.php?uni=-4477557&fid=3755&c=libya. Retrieved 2011-02-26.
- ^ Gaddafi defiant as state teeters – Africa – Al Jazeera English
- ^ BBC News (25 February 2011). Libyan crackdown 'escalates' – UN.
- ^ Gaddafi forces fire on crowd in Misrata – resident | Reuters
- ^ Misrata: no food, no water, just snipers | euronews, world news
- ^ a b c "Misratah". Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.. 2006. http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9052971/Misratah. Retrieved 2006-12-07.
- ^ Mattingly, pp. 104-105.
- ^ [1]
- ^ [2]
- ^ NY Times: Libyan Forces Withdraw From a Besieged City, April 23, 2011
[edit] External links
 |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Misurata |
 |
Wikinews has related news: Libyan city of Misrata reported to be secure after Gaddafi forces retreat |
- Misurata Satellite View
- Misratah Page on Encarta Online (encarta.msn.com). (Archived 2009-11-01)
- Map of Misratah on the dynamic atlas of Encarta Online (encarta.msn.com).
- Misratah dynamic map from Google Maps.
- Image from Misratah in the article from the Encyclopaedia of the Orient (lexiorient.com).
- "Misurata". Encyclopaedia of the Orient. 2006. http://lexicorient.com/e.o/misratah.htm. Retrieved 2006-12-07.
- "Misurata". The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Columbia University Press. 2006. http://www.infoplease.com/ce6/world/A0833402.html. Retrieved 2006-12-07.
|
|
|
