Banghazi, also Bengasi or Benghazi, city, northeastern Libya, in the district of Banghazi, on the eastern coast of the Gulf of Sidra. The second largest city of Libya, it is located on a railroad and has a considerable caravan trade with the interior. Banghazi is the center of trade in the cereals, dates, olives, wool, and livestock produced in the surrounding area. In addition to farming, sponge and tuna fishing are important occupations. Sponges, hides, and wool are the chief exports. The University of Garyounis (1955) is located in the city.
Banghazi was the site of the ancient Greek colony Hesperides. It was ruled by the Turks from the 16th century until 1911, when it was captured by the Italians during the Italo-Turkish War; thereafter it was part of Italian Libya. During World II, it was occupied by the British and served as the seat of British territorial administration until Libya gained independence in 1951. Population (1994 estimate) 800,000.
