It's a small town (about 32,000 residents) on the southern edge of the Sahara, in modern day Mali. The town is ancient, though, and justifiably ranks as one of the world's most famous places. In the middle ages this was an important stop for caravans about to cross the Great Desert. It was also a natural stopping point for different Arab tribes, all coming to gather water from the nearby River Niger.
Commerce flourished here, as did learning. By the year 1200 the city had three Universities and dozens of schools. Timbuktu's scholars were famous throughout the Arab world.
Because of its wealth and scholarly renown, the city was fought over by various Emperors during the next three centuries. They brought architects, money and labour to buiild many of the town's fine historic buildings. Timbuktu was at its most powerful in about 1500, when the population reached 100,000 and one in four residents could call themselves a scholar.
In recent centuries, Timbuktu was under French rule until Mali achieved independence in 1960. Today the town, as it now deserves to be called, is considered one of the most remote and poorest in the world.
Commerce flourished here, as did learning. By the year 1200 the city had three Universities and dozens of schools. Timbuktu's scholars were famous throughout the Arab world.
Because of its wealth and scholarly renown, the city was fought over by various Emperors during the next three centuries. They brought architects, money and labour to buiild many of the town's fine historic buildings. Timbuktu was at its most powerful in about 1500, when the population reached 100,000 and one in four residents could call themselves a scholar.
In recent centuries, Timbuktu was under French rule until Mali achieved independence in 1960. Today the town, as it now deserves to be called, is considered one of the most remote and poorest in the world.
