Timbuktu

Three ancient mosques rise from the sand-colored landscape, with the Djinguereber Mosque displaying traditional Sudano-Sahelian architectural elements and wooden support beams.

The city flourished during the 14th century as a center of Islamic education, with Sankore University attracting scholars who created extensive collections of manuscripts.

Local artisans maintain traditional crafts, producing leather goods, metalwork, and textiles that reflect centuries of trade between Saharan and sub-Saharan cultures.

Travelers can access the city through the regional airport, with December through February offering temperatures between 20 and 30 degrees Celsius.

The ancient libraries contain over 700,000 manuscripts documenting mathematics, astronomy, medicine, and literature from the medieval African intellectual tradition.

Location: Timbuktu Region

Elevation above the sea: 261 m

GPS coordinates: 16.77333,-2.99944

Latest update: May 27, 2025 20:43