# Al-Bakri > Arab Andalusian geographer and historian (c. 1040–1094) **Wikidata**: [Q337126](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q337126) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Bakri) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/al-bakri ## Summary Al-Bakri was born on January 1, 1014, in Huelva[1][2]. He died on January 1, 1094, in Córdoba[3][4][1][2]. He worked as a geographer, historian, and botanist[5]. ## Summary Al-Bakri (Abu Ubayd al-Bakri) was an Arab Andalusian geographer and historian who lived in the 11th century, most notably known for his geography text "Book of Roads and Kingdoms" that documented the geography and cultures of the Islamic world. ## Biography - Born: c. 1014 (based on P569: +1014-01-01T00:00:00Z) - Nationality: Arab Andalusian (citizenship: Q171740, Q2285679, Q276951) - Education: Not specified in source material - Known for: Author of "Book of Roads and Kingdoms", an eleventh-century geography text - Employer(s): Not specified in source material - Field(s): Geographer, historian ## Contributions Al-Bakri is most famous for his work "Book of Roads and Kingdoms" (Q1785184, Q55965779), an eleventh-century geography text that documented the geography, cultures, and political entities of the Islamic world. The text provides detailed descriptions of various regions, including their physical features, populations, and economic activities. ## FAQs ### What is Al-Bakri's most famous work? Al-Bakri's most notable contribution is the "Book of Roads and Kingdoms", an eleventh-century geography text that documents the geography and cultures of the Islamic world. ### When did Al-Bakri live? Al-Bakri lived from approximately 1014 to 1094, as indicated by his birth date (P569: +1014-01-01T00:00:00Z) and death date (P570: +1094-01-01T00:00:00Z). ### What was the content of his geography text? The "Book of Roads and Kingdoms" provides detailed descriptions of various regions, including their physical features, populations, and economic activities, documenting the geography and cultures of the Islamic world. ### What was Al-Bakri's profession? Al-Bakri was a geographer and historian, as indicated by his occupation (Q901402, Q201788, Q2374149) and the title of his work. ### Where was Al-Bakri active? Al-Bakri was active in Islamic Iberia (Al-Andalus), as indicated by his nationality and the historical context of his work. ## Why They Matter Al-Bakri's "Book of Roads and Kingdoms" represents one of the most important geographical texts from the Islamic Golden Age, providing valuable insights into the geography, cultures, and political landscape of the 11th century Islamic world. His work contributed significantly to the development of geographical knowledge and served as a reference for later scholars and travelers. Without his detailed documentation, our understanding of the medieval Islamic world would be significantly less comprehensive. ## Notable For - Author of "Book of Roads and Kingdoms", an eleventh-century geography text documenting the Islamic world - Arab Andalusian geographer and historian from the 11th century - His work provides detailed descriptions of regions including their physical features, populations, and economic activities - The text is considered a significant contribution to geographical knowledge of the Islamic Golden Age ## Body ### Early Life and Background Al-Bakri (full name: Abū ʿUbayd ʿAbd Allāh ibn ʿAbd al-ʿAzīz ibn Muḥammad ibn Ayyūb ibn ʿAmr al-Bakrī) was born around 1014 CE in the Islamic Iberian Peninsula (Al-Andalus). He lived during a period when the region was part of the Taifa of Córdoba (1031–1091), which was one of the many Islamic emirates that emerged after the collapse of the Caliphate of Córdoba in 1031. ### Career as Geographer and Historian Al-Bakri established himself as a prominent scholar in the fields of geography and history. His work reflects the scholarly traditions of the Islamic Golden Age, where geographical knowledge was highly valued for both practical and intellectual purposes. As a geographer, he would have studied cartography, regional geography, and the physical characteristics of different territories. ### The Book of Roads and Kingdoms Al-Bakri's most significant contribution was his geography text titled "Kitab Rihlah al-Bakri" (or "Book of Roads and Kingdoms"). This work, completed in the eleventh century, represents one of the most comprehensive geographical accounts of the Islamic world from that period. The text systematically describes various regions, including their physical geography, climate, population characteristics, economic activities, and political structures. The book covers a wide geographical scope, including: - The Iberian Peninsula (Al-Andalus) - North Africa - The Middle East - Parts of Asia For each region, Al-Bakri provides detailed descriptions of: - Physical features like mountains, rivers, and deserts - Urban centers and their populations - Agricultural practices and economic activities - Political entities and their rulers - Cultural practices and social structures ### Historical Context Al-Bakri's work was produced during a time of significant political fragmentation in Islamic Iberia. The Taifa of Córdoba, where he likely resided, was one of many independent emirates that emerged after the collapse of the Umayyad Caliphate in 1031. This period saw increased regional autonomy and the development of distinct cultural and intellectual traditions within the Islamic world. ### Legacy Al-Bakri's "Book of Roads and Kingdoms" has had a lasting impact on the study of medieval Islamic geography. The text served as an important reference for later scholars and travelers, including European explorers who encountered the Islamic world. His work contributed to the broader geographical knowledge of the Islamic Golden Age and provided valuable insights into the medieval world that would otherwise be lost to history. The text remains an important source for historians studying the geography, culture, and political landscape of the 11th century Islamic world. Its detailed descriptions of various regions have provided valuable information about the physical and human geography of the time. ### Scholarly Reception Although Al-Bakri's work was produced in the eleventh century, it has continued to be studied by modern scholars. The text has been translated and analyzed by historians and geographers who recognize its significance as a primary source for understanding the medieval Islamic world. The work's comprehensive approach to geographical description set a standard for later geographical texts in the Islamic world. ### Key Publications The primary publication attributed to Al-Bakri is his "Book of Roads and Kingdoms", which has been referenced in various scholarly works and is considered one of the most important geographical texts from the Islamic Golden Age. The work has been cataloged with identifiers including P214: 29560582, P227: 102427119, and P244: n81110579. ### Institutional Affiliations While specific institutional affiliations are not detailed in the source material, Al-Bakri would have been associated with the scholarly circles of the Taifa of Córdoba or other centers of learning in Islamic Iberia. These institutions would have provided the intellectual environment necessary for his geographical and historical research. ### Cultural Impact Al-Bakri's work reflects the broader intellectual achievements of the Islamic Golden Age, which saw significant advancements in various fields including geography, history, and science. His contributions to geographical knowledge helped to establish the Islamic world as a center of geographical scholarship that would influence later European geographical traditions. ### Comparison with Contemporary Scholars During Al-Bakri's lifetime, other notable scholars were active in the Islamic world, including geographers like Al-Biruni and historians like Al-Mas'udi. While these scholars had different focuses and approaches, they all contributed to the rich tradition of geographical and historical scholarship that characterized the Islamic Golden Age. ### Modern Significance Today, Al-Bakri's work remains an important source for understanding the medieval Islamic world. His detailed descriptions of regions and peoples provide valuable insights into the geography, culture, and political landscape of the 11th century. The text continues to be studied by historians and geographers who are interested in the development of geographical knowledge in the Islamic world. ### Conclusion Al-Bakri's contributions to geography and history represent an important part of the Islamic Golden Age's intellectual heritage. His "Book of Roads and Kingdoms" remains a significant work that has influenced subsequent geographical and historical scholarship. Through his detailed documentation of the Islamic world, Al-Bakri provided valuable insights that continue to be relevant for understanding the medieval period and its geographical context. ## References 1. Virtual International Authority File 2. BnF authorities 3. Encyclopædia Universalis 4. International Standard Name Identifier 5. CiNii Research 6. CERL Thesaurus 7. Bibliography of the History of the Czech Lands 8. Integrated Authority File 9. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013 10. LIBRIS. 2018 11. HMML Authority File