Crossword Clue: North African country largely covered by the Sahara
Here's the answer to the North African country largely covered by the Sahara crossword clue, with an explanation and where it has appeared.
Definition & answer: LIBYA
LIBYA solves the clue "North African country largely covered by the Sahara". Spanning 5 letters (2 vowels, 3 consonants), it begins at L and ends at A. Like most crossword fill, it lives at the intersection of two words, so a single confirmed crossing letter frequently reveals the whole entry.
Origin & meaning
Libya lies on the Mediterranean coast of North Africa, mostly covered by the Sahara. It holds the largest proven oil reserves in Africa.
Common usage
Libya turns up often in crosswords because of that letter mix. Words like LIBYA interlock cleanly with longer entries, so constructors reach for them to make a grid fit together without awkward clashes. Given a 5-square slot and a crossing letter or two, it's usually quick to confirm.
Crossword trivia
At 5 letters, LIBYA shows up in daily mini and themed puzzles far more than longer, obscure words. It's the kind of entry worth memorizing — the more common short words you know cold, the faster you solve.
Stuck on this clue?
If this clue won't come, leave it and fill the answers that cross it. Once a couple of LIBYA's letters are locked by neighboring words, the entry tends to reveal itself. Crossings beat staring at a clue every time.
This clue in different puzzles
Setters vary how they clue LIBYA — sometimes with a straight dictionary definition, sometimes with wordplay, a pun, or a fill-in-the-blank — but the answer itself stays the same. Learning to spot the answer behind the disguise is a core crossword skill.
Example sentences
- "Seeing 'North African country largely covered by the Sahara' in the clue list, an experienced solver pencils in LIBYA almost immediately."
- "Once the L was confirmed by the crossing word, LIBYA was the only entry that fit."
- "A 5-letter slot and a clue like 'North African country largely covered by the Sahara'? That's LIBYA nine times out of ten."