Capital: Tripoli (also known as Tarabulus), with an estimated population of 1,223,300 in 2002.Major Cities: Tripoli, Benghazi, Misratah, Az Zawiyah, Tobruk (according to decreasing size,2000-2002 estimates).Independence: December 24, 1951, from Italy.National Public Holidays: Commercial offices and government establishments are closed onFridays. In 2005 the major holidays are: January 21* (Eid al Adha, Feast of the Sacrifice);February 10* (Islamic New Year); February 19* (Ashoura); March 28 (Evacuation Day); April21* (Mouloud, Birth of Muhammad); June 11 (Evacuation Day); September 1 (Revolution Day);September 2* (Leilat al Meiraj, ascension of Muhammad); October 7 (Evacuation Day);November 4* (Eid al Fitr, end of Ramadan). Holidays that vary according to the Islamic lunarcalendar are marked with an asterisk.