The ancient Greek city of Cyrene sits in the lush valley of Jebel Akhdar. Jebel Akhdar is Arabic for “green mountains,” and this area is just that – a wooded, fertile, green upland area in eastern Libya. It is one of the wettest areas in Libya and is a definite contrast from the brown desert that makes up most of the country.

Agriculture

Jebel Akhdar receives 24 inches of rain each year, and this makes it one of Libya’s best locations for farms and crop growing. Here is where much of the country’s fruit, grain, and vegetables are grown.

The green mountains consist of the mountain range which is cut by luscious valley regions. Dotting the valleys are small farm houses.

Home to Ancient Cities

The Jebel Akhdar is the home of Cyrene. It is also the location for a number of other ancient cities. Apollonia comes behind only Cyrene in terms of important Greek settlements in Libya. This coastal town is more of a tourist attraction than Cyrene. Apollonia is well-preserved. It also has a small museum and plenty of ruins to visit.

A pre-Islamic Libyan town is the tiny village of Slonta. Here the ruins show an ancient center for worship, but not much is known about the particular religious practices that may have been celebrated in Slonta.

Another coastal town in the Jebel Akhdar region is Tolmeita. It is yet another ancient Greek city. It has fewer ruins and relics than Cyrene or Apollonia, however, its major draw is its beautiful beach area. Tocra is a newer village that would ordinarily have little interest for visitors, but it is a port town with Greek ruins in the surrounding areas.

Sitting on the edge of Jebel Akhdar is Derna, which sits in what may be the most attractive valley in the mountains. The town is close to the beaches, and the town square has the regions best open-air markets. But perhaps the most interesting attraction in Derna is just an hour’s hike outside of town. There in the mountains is a waterfall, a rare sight in Libya. The waterfall flows almost year-round.

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