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 Libya / Cities and Towns /
Al-Khoms
Arabic:
'al-khums
Other spellings: Khums, Al-Khums, Al-Khoms
City in northwestern Libya with 230,000 inhabitants (2005 estimate), on the Mediterranean Sea.
Al-Khoms has a diverse economy, mainly dealing with processing and manufacture. Among the main products are cement, processed tuna, esparto grass, soap and olive oil. It is also the market centre for agricultural products like dates and olives. Tourism is of some importance, with the famous Roman city of Leptis Magna is 3 km east.
Al-Khoms is excellently connected with other urban centres, being on the coastal highway that connects Tripoli with Benghazi and Cairo in Egypt. Tripoli is 100 km west.
Al-Khoms has a few of its Ottoman and Italian buildings left. Along the eastern part of the city, there is a popular beach.
History
Founded by the Ottomans.
Late 19th century: Begins exporting esparto grass.
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By: Tore Kjeilen
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