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Photos of Mali

Timbuktu is one of ten administrative divisions in Mali and a name that has become synonymous with a faraway, mysterious place. Tuareg nomads founded it around 1100 A.D. as a seasonal camp, but it became a permanent city in the 12th century. Between the 13th and 14th centuries, Timbuktu had a golden era as an important trade city and home to a 25,000-student university that taught history, law, science, medicine, and Islamic studies. Arab travelers spread stories of Timbuktu that eventually reached Europe, but since travel was long and difficult at that time, the city’s mystique flourished. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1988, it was added to the UNESCO list of world heritage in danger in 2012, due to armed conflict in the region.

Introduction

World Factbook Glyph

Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic.

Geography

Area

comparison ranking: total 25

People and Society

Age structure

2023 population pyramid:
2023 population pyramid

Median age

comparison ranking: total 226

Population growth rate

comparison ranking: 9

Birth rate

comparison ranking: 4

Death rate

comparison ranking: 86

Net migration rate

comparison ranking: 177

Maternal mortality ratio

comparison ranking: 20

Infant mortality rate

comparison ranking: total 10

Total fertility rate

comparison ranking: 4

Tobacco use

comparison ranking: total 146

Education expenditures

comparison ranking: 105

Environment

Revenue from coal

comparison ranking: 115

Government

Economy

Real GDP growth rate

comparison ranking: 43

Real GDP per capita

comparison ranking: 206

Labor force

comparison ranking: 66

Unemployment rate

comparison ranking: 46

Public debt

comparison ranking: 151

Taxes and other revenues

comparison ranking: 148

Current account balance

comparison ranking: 149

Exports

comparison ranking: 134

Imports

comparison ranking: 132

Debt - external

comparison ranking: 57

Energy

Communications

Internet users

comparison ranking: total 79

Transportation

Airports

comparison ranking: 120

Railways

comparison ranking: total 109

Roadways

comparison ranking: total 38

Waterways

comparison ranking: 45

Military and Security

Military expenditures

comparison ranking: 18

Terrorism

Transnational Issues