Countryballs How Libya Built Rivers in the Sahara Desert. Gaddafi's Unbelievable Africa Megaproject Libya has long struggled with water scarcity, dating back to the early days of the country. This is not surprising given that 90% of Libya's territory is desert and there are no natural rivers. Rainfall is also scarce, with some areas receiving little to no rain for decades. This has led to a concentration of population in the 10% of the country where rainfall and agriculture are possible, hindering development and prosperity. A plan to create manmade rivers, which would become the largest irrigation system in human history.

Libya is a country located in North Africa, along the Mediterranean Sea, boasting a rich and diverse history. The region was once an Italian colony from 1934 to 1943, leaving a lasting imprint on the cultural and historical landscape.

Africa faces a significant deficit in access to clean drinking water. However, the Libyan government aimed to distinguish itself by seizing the opportunity to initiate a project considered the eighth wonder of the world.


The Great ManMade River, recognized as the world's largest network of underground pipelines, stands as a remarkable engineering feat. Comprising 1,300 wells with depths ranging from 80 to 400 meters, this ambitious project delivers approximately 3 million cubic meters of drinking water daily to cities such as Tripoli, Benghazi, and Sirte – a truly staggering amount.

In The First phase, hundreds of wells were drilled in the Tazirbu and Sarir fields, extracting water from depths of around 500 meters. Subsequently, the water was transported through underground pipelines to the Ajdābiya reservoir. This reservoir was filled in 1989 and became a pivotal point from which drinking water was distributed westward (to Surt) and northward (to Benghazi).

The third phase, concluded in 2009, included an additional 1,200 kilometers of pipelines. The system's capabilities from the first phase were expanded by adding 700 kilometers of new pipelines, pump stations, and increasing water supplies to 3.68 million cubic meters per day. Additionally, Tobruk was integrated into the network, allowing access to water from the AlJaghbub oasis. Achieving this task required constructing another reservoir and adding 500 kilometers of pipeline.

Subsequent stages aimed to further enhance the system's capabilities from the first phase and ultimately connect pipelines from the first and second phases. The completed Great ManMade River was intended to span 4,000 kilometers and transport 6.5 million cubic meters of water daily. Unfortunately, this vision was not realized due to the events of 2011.

Muammar Gaddafi's ability to fund the project independently underscores the financial autonomy that Libya enjoyed during his regime, primarily driven by the country's significant revenues from oil exports. Gaddafi's decision to allocate substantial resources to the Great ManMade River

The agricultural landscape in Libya underwent significant transformations with the implementation of this irrigation system, allowing for the cultivation of diverse crops and the expansion of arable land. The strategic vision was centered on addressing the limitations posed by the arid environment and fostering agricultural sustainability through innovative water management.

Enhance agricultural productivity and contribute to food security by leveraging the water resources provided by the Great ManMade River. This intricate system played a pivotal role in creating opportunities for largescale farming, diversifying crops, and potentially transforming the agricultural landscape in northern Libya.

Despite these problems, the project continues, and the Great manmade River supplies Libyans with drinking water, also delivering it where previously its only source was imports and seawater desalination plants.

This visionary project has the transformative power to turn parts of the arid Sahara into a green, livable area, significantly enhancing the overall quality of life for the local population. The endeavor not only addresses the immediate need for water but also represents a bold step towards sustainable development, fostering a more resilient and thriving ecosystem in the region.

The Great ManMade River it represented hope for Libya's development, though this aspiration didn't materialize due to unfavorable events in the second decade of the 21st century. The English name "Great ManMade River"

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