Which parts of Libya lie outside the Sahara Desert?

While the vast majority of Libya is dominated by the Sahara, which covers about nine-tenths of the country, specific northern regions experience a Mediterranean climate that lies outside the desert zone.12

These areas, which are moderated by the Mediterranean Sea, include:

• The Al-Jifārah Plain: Located in the northwest, this region consists of steppe and coastal land and is home to the capital, Tripoli.12
• The Nafūsah Plateau: A limestone massif situated south of the Al-Jifārah Plain.12
• The Akhḍar Mountains: Known as the "Green Mountains," these highlands stretch along the northeastern coast between Al-Marj and Derna.12

Additionally, a narrow band of semiarid steppe extends inland from these features, serving as a transition zone before the true desert climate of the Sahara begins.1