Tombouctou

Town in Mali, near the most northerly point on the Niger River; population (1998) 32,000; region 496,300. It was a Tuareg camel caravan centre on the fringe of the Sahara from the 11th century. Since 1960 the area surrounding the town has become increasingly arid, and the former canal link with the River Niger is dry. Products include salt.

History The town was annexed by the Mali ruler Mansa Musa in 1330, this rule being replaced in 1433 by the Tuareg nomads of the region. It was conquered by the Songhai Empire in 1468, and became an important commercial centre and centre of Islamic culture. The town was invaded and captured by Moroccan forces in 1591. It came under French rule from 1893 and became part of the newly independent Mali in 1960.