Demographic, economic, and spatial transformations in Libya during the Italian agricultural settlement period (1911-1943): A geographical study

الملخص

This research addresses the topic of "Demographic and Spatial Changes Associated with Agricultural Settlement in Libya During Italian Colonization (1911–1943)." It highlights how Italian agricultural settlement projects caused significant transformations in population structure and the spatial framework of Libyan lands, particularly in areas such as Tripoli, the Jefara plains, and Misrata. The study aims to analyze the impact of Italian agricultural settlement on the demographic composition of Libyan agricultural regions, examine spatial changes and infrastructure resulting from settlement projects, and assess the economic and social implications of land conversion to Italian ownership and the marginalization of local inhabitants. To achieve these objectives, the research adopts a historical-analytical approach to track settlement policies and their temporal dimensions, along with a geographic-spatial methodology to analyze population distribution patterns and land use. Research tools include statistical tables, historical maps, and official quantitative data from the Italian settlement administration, as well as references to academic studies related to the topic. The study yields several findings, among the most prominent: On the demographic level, the number of Italian settlers in agricultural areas increased significantly while local populations were marginalized, leading to a reconfiguration of population structure. On the spatial level, settlement projects converted fertile lands into planned agricultural settlements, introducing irrigation networks, agricultural roads, and modern infrastructure that altered the spatial characteristics of the region. On the economic and social level, settlement created a severe class divide between settlers and native inhabitants, depriving Libyans of land ownership and turning them into agricultural workers on settler farms. The research demonstrates that Italian agricultural settlement was not merely a productive endeavor but a complex colonial policy that reshaped Libyan society geographically and socially, leaving lasting effects that are still evident in population geography and economic structures today