Timbuktu which is now in the West African nation of Mali, was once a part of one of the greatest empires ever. As the educational center for the great Mali Empire, Timbuktu became home of Sankore University which was the best school in the world. It was the intellectual and spiritual capital of Africa as well which helped with the spread of Islam throughout the continent. There's a West African Islamic proverb that states "Salt comes from the north, gold from the south, but the word of God and the treasures of wisdom come from Timbuktu." That was one of many testaments to the glory of Timbuktu.

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