Arabic, the official language, is spoken by almost all Libyans. Many educated Libyans speak a second language, particularly English or Italian. Way of life. Most of Libya's people live in urban areas. The country's rural dwellers live mostly in villages or desert oases.
Some nomads move with their sheep, goats, and camels in search of pasture.
The expansion of the Libyan economy after the mid-1900's triggered a substantial migration from rural areas to the cities. The transition from rural to urban life required many difficult adjustments. For example, rural Libyans live as an extended family, with several generations sharing a single home. But this arrangement is not practical in Libya's crowded cities. The status of women in Libya changed dramatically in the late 1900's.