a country of Africa, in Barbary, bounded on the north by the Mediterranean Sea, on the south by the country of the Berberies, on the west by the kingdom of Tunis and Biledulgerid, and on the east by Egypt. It is about 925 miles along the sea-coast, but the breadth is various. Some parts of it are pretty fruitful, but that towards Egypt is a sandy desert. It had the title of a kingdom, but is governed by a dey. Early in the last century Tripoli shook off its dependence on the Grand Turk. In other respects the government is not essentially changed; it is still a military despotism of the most ferocious description. Its piracies are now confined to Naples, Sardinia, and other states which have no efficient navy. See BARBARY STATES.

capital of the state of the same name in Barbary, is a considerable town, with a castle and a fort. See BARBARY STATES.

Tripoli, called Tripolis of Syria, to distinguish it from Tripoli in Barbary, received its name from its being anciently formed of three cities at a small distance from each other, one of which belonged to the Aradians, or ancient kingdom of Arad, the second to the Sidonians, and the third to the Tyrians, perhaps as a common mart to those maritime powers. The present town of Tripoli is built at the distance of a mile and a half from the other, upon the declivity of a hill facing the sea, in longitude 35° 50' east from Greenwich, and latitude 34° 20' north.