A short account on the geography and climate of Libya is given. The estimated number of epithets in the Libyan flora is 1,600 species and 600 infraspecific epithets. The history of botanical exploration in Libya is chronologically dealt with. Important collections and their contributors from 1703 till the present time are mentioned. A comprehensive bibliography on the natural history of Libya is given. It includes 791 references covering studies dealing with flora and vegetation and such related topics as forestry, horticulture, climatology, geography and travels. Literature on cryptogams is excluded. The accumulation of this bibliography will be a step towards preparing a flora of Libya.