Timbuktu, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Mali, is a historic city renowned for its role as a medieval center of trade, culture, and Islamic scholarship. Founded around the 11th century, it flourished due to its strategic location on trans-Saharan trade routes, becoming a hub for salt, gold, and knowledge exchange. The city is home to iconic mud-brick architecture, including the Sankore Mosque and University, which highlight its intellectual legacy. Despite facing threats from conflict and desertification, Timbuktu remains a symbol of Africa’s rich historical and cultural heritage.

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