Mediterranean port, northwestern Libya. First mentioned in a Catalan sailing manual (1375) as Punta dar Zoyara, it later served as the western outpost of Italian-controlled Libya (1912–43), being the terminus of the now-defunct railway from Tripoli 65 mi (105 km) east. Its artificial harbour shelters a motorized fishing fleet. Cereals, dates, and esparto grass (used to make cordage, shoes, and paper) are local products. The population contains a small number of settled Berber farmers. Pop. (2003 est.) 172,610.