The national political, economic and cultural center of Libya, the largest city and important seaport in the country. It is the capital of Libya. Tripoli was founded by the Phoenicians in the 11th century BC, and was long ruled by Romans, Arabs, and Turks, and was designated as the capital after Libya's independence in 1951. Due to the Mediterranean Sea, the sun is shining and the scenery is beautiful, Tripoli enjoys the reputation of "white bride of the Mediterranean"