Explain the significance of Timbuktu in West Africa. (1 point)

1. Timbuktu was the capital of the Nok culture.

2. Timbuktu was the origin point of iron-smelting in West Africa.

3. Timbuktu was a popular tourist destination.

4. Timbuktu was a center for learning similar to the institutions that preceded universities in Europe.

1 answer

The correct answer is 4. Timbuktu was a center for learning similar to the institutions that preceded universities in Europe.
Timbuktu was a significant city in West Africa because it housed several renowned Islamic libraries and universities during the 14th to 16th centuries. These institutions attracted scholars and students from all over Africa and the Muslim world, making it a hub of intellectual and cultural exchange. The libraries held thousands of manuscripts covering a wide range of subjects, including astronomy, mathematics, medicine, and literature. The city's reputation as a center for learning contributed to its significance in West Africa.