# Timbuktu

> city in Mali

**Wikidata**: [Q9427](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q9427)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timbuktu)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/timbuktu

## Summary
Timbuktu is a city in Mali, historically significant as a center of Islamic learning and trade, and designated as a World Heritage Site. It's located in the Timbuktu Region and has a population of approximately 35,330 people as of 2012.

## Key Facts
- Located in Mali, specifically within the Timbuktu Region and Timbuktu Cercle
- Designated as a World Heritage Site since 1988
- Population was 54453 in 2009 and 35330 in 2012
- Area covers 14,789 hectares
- Elevation is 261 meters above sea level
- Timezone is UTC±00:00
- Coordinates are approximately 16.773 latitude and -2.999 longitude
- Demonym is Timbuctaniki (masculine plural)
- Member of the Organization of World Heritage Cities
- Capital of Azawad
- Has been listed as a World Heritage in Danger site from 1990 to 2005
- Twinned with multiple cities including Marrakesh, Saintes, and Chemnitz
- Featured in numerous encyclopedias and reference works

## FAQs
- **What organizations is Timbuktu a member of?** It is a member of the Organization of World Heritage Cities.
- **What is the population of Timbuktu?** The population was 54453 in 2009 and 35330 in 2012.
- **What is the area of Timbuktu?** The city covers 14,789 hectares.
- **What is the elevation above sea level?** Timbuktu is at 261 meters above sea level.
- **What is the timezone?** The timezone is UTC±00:00.
- **What is the significance of the Djinguereber Mosque?** It is a part of Timbuktu and is likely one of its historic mosques.
- **What is the heritage designation?** Timbuktu is a World Heritage Site with criteria (ii), (iv), and (v).

## Why It Matters
Timbuktu holds profound significance as a historical and cultural center, particularly as a major hub of Islamic learning and trans-Saharan trade. Its designation as a World Heritage Site since 1988 recognizes its exceptional universal value, though it has faced threats and was listed as World Heritage in Danger from 1990 to 2005. The city's role in preserving and transmitting knowledge across cultures has made it an important site for understanding medieval African civilization and its connections to the wider Islamic world.

## Notable For
- Being a center of Islamic scholarship with historic mosques like the Djinguereber Mosque
- Its designation as a World Heritage Site in 1988
- Its listing as a World Heritage in Danger site from 1990 to 2005
- Serving as a major trans-Saharan trade hub
- Having been twinned with multiple international cities
- Being featured in numerous encyclopedias and reference works across languages

## Body
### History and Significance
Timbuktu, alternatively known as Tombouctou or Timbuctoo, is a city in Mali that has been a pivotal center of Islamic learning and trans-Saharan trade for centuries. The city's significance dates back to the 11th century when it became a major commercial and intellectual hub. It was designated as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1988, recognizing its exceptional universal value as a center of Islamic culture and scholarship.

### Geography and Location
Timbuktu is situated in the Timbuktu Region of Mali, specifically within the Timbuktu Cercle. The city lies at approximately 16.773 latitude and -2.999 longitude, with an elevation of 261 meters above sea level. It covers an area of 14,789 hectares and operates on the UTC±00:00 timezone.

### Population and Demographics
The population of Timbuktu has been documented at 54453 individuals in 2009 and 35330 individuals in 2012. The demonym for residents is Timbuctaniki (masculine plural). The city has been the subject of various population studies and demographic analyses.

### Architecture and Heritage
Timbuktu is renowned for its historic architecture, particularly its mosques. The Djinguereber Mosque is one of the city's notable components. The city has been recognized as a World Heritage Site with criteria (ii), (iv), and (v), indicating its importance as a center of learning, its cultural significance, and its role in trade networks.

### Cultural and Linguistic Context
The city has multiple names and designations across different languages and cultures, including Tombouctou, Tumbutu, Timbuktoo, Tombuctu, Timbuktu, and various transliterations in Japanese, Chinese, and other languages. The native label is Tombouctou, and the official name is also Tombouctou. The city has been documented in numerous encyclopedias and reference works from different cultures.

### World Heritage Status
Timbuktu was designated as a World Heritage Site in 1988, though it faced challenges and was listed as World Heritage in Danger from 1990 to 2005. The site meets UNESCO criteria (ii), (iv), and (v), recognizing its role as a center of learning, its cultural significance, and its importance in trade networks.

### International Recognition and Connections
Timbuktu has been recognized by various international organizations and institutions. It is a member of the Organization of World Heritage Cities and has been twinned with multiple cities worldwide including Marrakesh, Saintes, Château-Chinon (Ville), Chemnitz, Hay-on-Wye, Kairouan, and Tempe. The city has been featured in numerous encyclopedias and reference works across languages including Arabic, English, French, Spanish, and others.

### Digital and Media Presence
Timbuktu has a significant digital presence with references in various online platforms. It appears in Wikipedia with over 128 sitelinks and is available in numerous languages including Afrikaans, Arabic, Asturian, Avar, Azerbaijani, Belarusian, Bambara, Bengali, Breton, Bosnian, Catalan, Cebuano, Dutch, English, Esperanto, Spanish, Estonian, Persian, Finnish, Hebrew, Hindi, Croatian, Hungarian, Indonesian, Irish, Italian, Japanese, Javanese, Georgian, Kabyle, Kannada, Korean, Latin, Ladino, Luxembourgish, Lithuanian, Malayalam, Marathi, Malay, Maltese, Mongolian, Nepali, Norwegian, Occitan, Punjabi, Polish, Punjabi, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Sardinian, Scots, Serbian, Swedish, Swahili, Silesian, Tamil, Thai, Turkish, Ukrainian, Urdu, Uzbek, Vietnamese, Wu, Yiddish, Yoruba, Zoung, and Chinese variants.

### Preservation and Threats
The city has faced preservation challenges and was listed as World Heritage in Danger from 1990 to 2005. Various international organizations have documented its condition and provided resources for its conservation. The site has been the subject of studies on threatened worlds and vanishing places.

### Related Entities and Connections
Timbuktu has connections to multiple organizations and institutions including the Organization of World Heritage Cities, UNESCO, and various encyclopedias. It is associated with the Djinguereber Mosque and has been documented in reference works from different cultures. The city has been featured in various media including photographs, aerial views, and maps.

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. [Source](https://lingualibre.fr/wiki/Q213008)
3. [Source](https://www.ovpm.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/liste-villes-en-regle-pour-page-web12-03-2024.pdf)
4. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
5. GeoNames
6. BBC Things
7. [Source](http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/119)
8. [archINFORM](https://www.archinform.net/service/wd_aiort.php)
9. museum-digital