BARCA (the ancient Cyrenaica), a maritime district of Northern Africa, forming the eastern portion of Tripoli, and extending from the Gulf of Sert (the ancient Syrtes) to Egypt, between Lat. 30° and 33° N. and Long. 20° and 25° E. Its name is derived from Barce or Barca, an ancient city of Cyrenaica, and which probably was originally a Libyan settlement, but afterwards colonized by Greeks from Cyrene, about B.C. 560. This territory is traversed from east to west by a mountain chain varying in height from 400 or 500 to upwards of 1800 feet. A great part of Barca, particularly towards the coast, is very fertile, abounding with excellent pasturage, and producing large supplies of corn. The chief town is Bengazi. See CYRENAICA.