This distinct culture, suppressed and oppressed by the Libyan regime, has risen to new prominence in the course of the [[2011 Libyan Civil War|Libyan civilCivil warWar]], when their initiatives led to the Nafusa Mountains becoming a major front in that war.<ref name=laub/><ref name=map28june>[http://archive.libyafeb17.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/nafusa-map-june-28.png Map of situation on 28 June 2011 at]</ref> The terrain and topography of the region are critical strategic factors, constraining mechanised advances from the flat plain and plateau, and favouring guerrilla tactics based on close local knowledge and the advantage of high ground. By the end of June 2011 the Nafusi people had almost succeeded in liberating themselves completely from the control of the regime, and this progress seems likely to continue.<ref name=laub>{{cite news|last=Laub|first=Karin|title=Libya's western mountain rebels taste success|url=http://cnsnews.com/news/article/libyas-western-mountain-rebels-taste-suc|accessdate=18 August 2011|newspaper=CNS News|date=15 August 2011|agency=Associated Press}}</ref>
== Geography ==
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== Economy ==
The mountain villages raise primarily goats, olives and grain, but also have fig and apricot orchards.<ref>{{cite news|last=Faul|first=Michelle|title=High-level US diplomat meets Libyan rebel leaders|url=http://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/high-level-us-diplomat-meets-libyan-rebe|accessdate=18 August 2011|newspaper=CNS News|date=23 May 2011|agency=Associated Press}}</ref>
[[ImageFile:Libya ethnic.svg|thumb | right | 300px| Ethic composition of the Libyan population in 1974. The orange arc in the Northwest shows the Berber population in the Nafusa Mountains.]]
