Tripoli

trip'o-li, a Turkish possession on the northern coast of Africa. It lies next to Tunis. It is a half larger than Texas. The fertile portion consists of several oases in the Sahara and a narrow belt near the coast. The inhabitants are Moors, Arabs, Turks, etc. Jews are numerous. Arabic is the popular language. Turkish is the language of the officials. The capital is Tripoli. It was at one time a possession of Carthage. At the fall of that city it became a province of Rome. Later it was conquered by the Arabs, by the Turks, and by the Barbary pirates. In 1714 it became independent. In 1804, during this period of piratical independence, the United States declared war on Tripoli. The Tripolitans were so given to piracy that the nations were glad to have any power bring them to time. They were reduced to subjection again by the Turks in 1835. The population is not far from a million. Barley is the chief food of the people. Dates, oranges, and lemons are raised. Esparto grass, ivory, ostrich feathers, and goatskins are exported. The city of Tripoli is the Mediterranean terminus of various caravan routes.