timbuktu

prop. n., A city on the southern edge of the Sahara, in central Africa, some nine miles from the Niger. It is about three miles around, and was formerly surrounded by a clay wall. Timbuctoo has a large caravan trade, gold dust being the most important export. The people are negroes, Tuariks, Mandingoes, Arabs, Foolahs, etc. The city was founded in the 12th century, but was first seen by a white man in 1826. Timbuctoo now belongs to France, and a railroad is proposed to connect Algiers, Timbuctoo and Senegambia. Population, 13, 000 (1893), greatly increased during the trading season from November to January. Student's Cyclopedia, 1897. [ PJC ]