Awjila (also written Awjilah, Aujila, or Augila) is a historic oasis deep in the Libyan desert, about 260 km south of Agedabia. For centuries it sat at the crossroads of the great east-west North African caravan routes and the north-south routes from the coast into sub-Saharan Africa, making it one of the most important stops in the Saharan trade network.
The oasis has the oldest mosque in the western North African region, the Atiq Mosque, built with local soil and palm branches in a style that provides natural climate control — cool in the scorching summer heat, warm at night. The population is Amazigh (Berber), with their own distinct language, though Arabic is dominant. Walking through the old town you can still hear it spoken in the lanes.
The main economic activities are date farming — the oasis has many varieties of palm trees in its palm groves — and employment with the oil companies that operate in this region. From Awjila the road continues to Jalo and on to Kufra. Reaching Awjila requires a vehicle or willingness to wait for infrequent shared transport from Agedabia.