Where is Timbuktu?

Timbuktu, also spelled as Tinbuktu, Timbuctoo and Timbuktoo, is a historical and still-inhabited city in the West African nation of Mali, situated 13 miles north of the River Niger on the southern edge of the Sahara Desert. About 35,300 people live there.

Originally Timbuktu was a temporary settlement, but in the 12th century became permanent. When trading routes of those times changed, they made Timbuktu a trading town full of goods, such as salt, ivory, gold and slaves as well. Timbuktu entered the Mali Empire in the 14th century. In 15th century it was attacked by the Tuareg tribes and was under their control for some time until the Songhai Empire absorbed Timbuktu in 1468. After the Songhai had been defeated by a Moroccan army, Timbuktu became the Moroccan capital. There have always been plenty of mysterious stories and tales about Timbuktu in the European countries.