Page:The American Cyclopædia (1879) Volume XV.djvu/902

 872 TKIPOLI traversed by the Black mountains, descending in terraces which enclose fertile tracts. In the west two ranges of mountains, offsets of the Atlas, run nearly parallel with the sea, the N. range about 20 m. from the coast, and the S. 30 m. further inland. The former has a general height of about 2,000 ft., and is visi- ble from the sea. These mountains are of vol- canic origin, and many of the summits termi- nate in conical peaks. The space between the ranges contains many tracts of elevate^ table land, with a fertile soil produced by the de- composition of lava and basalt. Salt and sul- phur are the only minerals obtained. Some of this land is carefully cultivated and irrigated. Abundant crops of grain are raised, and on the sides of the hills vines, olives, figs, almonds, and other fruits grow luxuriantly. There are extensive natural pastures upon which cattle are reared in great numbers. But the most fertile part of Tripoli is the country which surrounds the capital. This tract, about 5 m. broad, extends about 15 m. along the shore, and produces heavy crops of wheat, barley, millet, and maize. Dates and olives are grown, together with all the fruits of a temperate cli- mate. The country S. of the plateaus con- tains very little productive land, and consists mainly of sand and gravel plains. The water, which is found only by digging from 100 to 200 ft., is bitter and brackish. In the few spots where grain can be raised there are villages, the inhabitants of which live in con- stant dread of the desert tribes. Rain falls abundantly in the N. part of the country from November to March, but during the rest of the year months often pass without a single shower, although there are copious dews in the sum- mer, and the heat becomes very great, espe- cially when the sirocco blows. In winter the weather is exceedingly variable, and frosts occur at night, while the temperature during the day often exceeds 70. The horses of Tri- poli are of a superior breed, and cattle are numerous on the table lands. Camels are ex- tensively used as beasts of burden, and sheep and poultry are exported. Of wild animals the most common are wolves, foxes, hyaanas, jackals, gazelles, antelopes, rabbits, hares, hedgehogs, and jerboas. Ostriches frequent the borders of the deserts, and most of the common birds of southern Europe are found. Bees are kept in large numbers, and the lo- custs which frequently visit the country in enormous swarms are utilized for food. Tri- poli contains numerous remains of antiquity, including ruins of Roman temples, theatres, and aqueducts. Many of these ruins have been buried deeply in the sand, but they can still be traced in the city of Tripoli and at other places. Coins, gems, and intaglios have been found in considerable numbers. The population comprises Arabs, Moors, Turks, Mamelukes, Jews, and negro slaves. The Arabs form the greater pa^t of the population in the country districts. The towns, of which Tri- poli, Lebda, and Mesurata or Misratah are situated on the coast, are peopled mostly by Moors, Jews, and negro slaves. Some of the Arabs have fixed homes and reside in vil- lages, but many of them are nomadic. There are some manufactures of woollen goods, and cloth for tents is made of goats' hair. The trade of Tripoli is considerable. The exports by sea consist chiefly of wool, cattle, hides, gold dust, ostrich feathers, ivory, gum, dried fruits, saffron, senna, drugs, barilla, and sheep's fat ; and the chief imports are clothes, spices, sugar, coffee, spirits, arms, cutlery, and hard- ware. In 1874 the exports to Great Britain were valued at 125,211, and the imports from that country at 238,257. Caravans arrive from the interior of Africa twice a year, and bring slaves, gold dust, and tropical commodi- ties, which are exchanged for European goods. The government of Tripoli is a pure despo- tism. The country in the wider sense is de- nominated a vilayet or province of Turkey, and its ruler is known as the bey. He is a pasha generally selected by the sultan from among the Turkish officers resident at the capital. In former times the revenue was chiefly derived from the prizes taken by cor- sairs, and the sale of captured Europeans into slavery ; but since these sources were cut off, a system of monopolies has been adopted. The bey of Fezzan and the sheikhs of Barca and some neighboring tribes pay tribute, and taxes are imposed on land, on Jews and mer- chants, and on exports and imports. A con- siderable number of Jews and Christians re- side in Tripoli, but the dominant religion is Mohammedan. The temperance enjoined by the prophet is not practised. "Wine shops are kept openly, and receive the sanction of the government by paying a heavy license fee. Education is neglected, and the people are ignorant and bigoted. Tripoli was conquered by the Romans from the Carthaginians, and became a part of the Roman province of Afri- ca under the name of Regio Syrtica. Its pres- ent appellation appears to have originated in a federation of three cities, Sabrata or Abro- tonum, (Ea, and Leptis Magna (the present Lebda), whence the region was called Tripoli- tana. It was conquered by the Vandals in the 5th century, and by the Mohammedans short- ly after the death of Mohammed. After the division of the eastern caliphate Tripoli became an independent state. The capital was taken by Roger II. of Sicily in 1146, and retaken by Yakub and the fortifications destroyed in 1184. It was afterward subject to Tunis till about 1510, when it was conquered by the Spaniards; and it was ceded by the emperor Charles V. to the knights of St. John of Jerusalem in 1530. In 1551 the knights were expelled by Sultan Solyman II., and the tract of country which at present constitutes the vilayet was annexed to the city of Tripoli. The celebrated pirate Dragut, who had assisted at its capture, was made the first governor, and he initiated a