As a fresh way to kick off the work week, My Wonderful World is now bringing our readers a Monday-Funday Photo of the Week.  Designed not only around aesthetics, this photo sharing start-to-the-week is also about facilitating geographic discussion on current events and relevant topics.

Located at the heart of Northern Africa, Libya’s geography plays a central role in international relations, providing a physical link between Southern Europe and the regions of North Africa and the Middle East. In terms of spatial dispersion, according to Wikipedia, “ninety percent of the people live in less than 10% of the area, primarily along the coast in the three largest cities of Tripoli, Benghazi and Misrata.”

Spurred in part by the neighboring revolutions of Tunisia and Egypt, the country’s recent liberation from the ruling power of Muammar Gaddafi (“King of Kings of Africa”), has the spotlight of this week’s photo blog. According to Reuters, the French foreign ministry noted that, “We are confident in the Libyan people, who have courageously set themselves free of 42 years of dictatorship, to construct a state of law, conforming to the principles and universal values shared by the international community…we will be vigilant about human rights.”

The Libyan people are now looking to Mustafa Abdul Jalil, head of the National Transitional Council, for leadership. Jalil has announced that an interim government will be in place within the next month and will remain until proper elections can be held.  

In line with the French foreign ministry, I too wish the best for Libya and hope that the country can move forward in peace and in grace toward the goals of local independence and global opportunity.

–Julia from My Wonderful World
Photo Credits: Your Shot, Ivan LaBianca & David Lynch