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Considered by many to be a mythical place with gold paved roads at the end of the world, Timbuktu does indeed exist… but it has seen better days. Once a bustling city in the center of many caravan routes through the African continent, it is now a struggling place, consumed by desertification, dwindling water supplies and years of war. Yet, despite its struggles, it still hasn’t lost its magical aura and its name continues to evoke images of remoteness and wonder.

Naturally, connecting with the world is not a priority in places like Timbuktu, where steady employment and disposable income are hard to come by. Problems with rebel fighting in Northern Mali in recent years have driven away tourism from the city, leaving many tourist guides unemployed.

Luckily for postcard lovers from around the world, Phil, Bintou and Ali run Postcards from Timbuktu, a service that helps unemployed guides in Timbuktu send postcards to supplement their income. Whether you’d like to surprise a loved one with a message from an exotic place, or just to add an exotic stamp to your collection, they can help you do it with just a few clicks. The postcards they send all around the world are precious, in both the collectible sense and, more importantly, to their livelihoods. Here is Mohamed, writing a batch of cards to send:

Postcards from Timbuktu

Each card costs $10, including postage which ranges between $2.20 to Europe and $3.75 to other continents. For context, people in Bamako (Mali’s capital) are making as little as $80–90/month… so it’s easy to understand that this isn’t really something they can afford to do for fun. Postcards travel from Bamako to Timbuktu and back to Bamako, before being shipped out of Mali. Each one of them will go through several motorcycle and plane rides on its journey to its recipients.

And now, an extra incentive to check out Postcards from Timbuktu: we were so pleased to learn how postcards are making a difference in this community that we decided to help! Postcrossing is sponsoring a giveaway of 5 postcards from Timbuktu, sent to random postcrossers.

To participate, all you need to do is to leave a comment below, sharing a fact you have learned about Timbuktu. Go discover its fascinating history, and come back to share your knowledge with everyone. And who knows… you might even find a postcard from there waiting on your mailbox soon! :)

This giveaway will be open for one week. The results will be chosen by Paulo's random number generator and announced on this post.

Postcards from Timbuktu

And the winners of this giveaway, as chosen by Paulo’s random number generator are… sfichialos, pinsonne, Amaya_Ithilwen, reimira and WHMeg. Congratulations — and thank you everyone for your enthusiastic participation on this giveaway!

PS – We got word from Phil that the team in Timbuktu is a little overwhelmed with orders at the moment. While this is great news for them, it also means that it will take some time for all postcards and other items to be delivered. So please be patient while you wait — we’re sure it will be worth it. :)

710 comments so far

Barbaella, Germany

great project, I love it and hope I get such a card in future...!!!

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MrsBabl, United States of America

This is an awesome project. You hear about Timbuktu in movies, when people are referring to a very exotic place; getting a postcard from there, would be a dream come true!

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mar872, Canada

I had heard of this project before, and I think it is time for me to buy one of the postcards. It is amazing how at one time this was a important centre of commerce of the ancient world.

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Willi, Germany

Nice Story! A few days ago I saw a report about Timbuktu on TV

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mapcardcollector, United Kingdom

It is a shame that such an interesting place is almost off-limits to travellers.

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kojep, Indonesia

First time i hear about TImbuktu in DOnald Duck Magazine (By Disney) But now i cant imagine its true and issued postcards too. Hope i can know more about Timbuktu from this postcard
Thanks

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meiadeleite, Portugal

Please note that for your participation to be valid, you have to share a fact that you have learned about Timbuktu on your comment!

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irmi, Germany

This is a wonderful project - I really hope a lot of people will participate! :-) I did not know so much about Timbuktu before, but reading about this project made me interested and so I found out that it is also called the "city of 333 saints" (they were all buried there), and it once had one of the largest universities in the world and was a really important religious center :-) Thank you, postcrossing-team, for doing this! :-)

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elyssadarling, United States of America

What a great way to involve a community! I did not realize the history of Arabic in the country. Would love to receive a postcard! xx

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ckproeber, United States of America

I have learned about Timbuktu.

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postcrosser74, Italy

I believe that the fate of Timbuktu is so sad...
This was once a town well known for the trade in salt, slaves, gold.
So I love this project!

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ginnijay, United States of America

Fact- located on the edge of the Sahara Desert, this has an estimated population of 32,000.

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JonathanChua, Singapore

I am glad PostCrossing could play a part to at least better their livelihood...indeed PostCrossing is something they could not afford to do or participate fully in...at least we feel better in helping them in a way or two........Cheers to PostCrossing....

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karlheinz, Germany

A great projekt, and really a good way to make the world a better place!
I was interested what is the food like in Mali: it's often rice, served with a sauce made of peanuts, spinach, tomatoes and sometimes also boiled leaves of the baobab-tree. Sounds yummy and vegetarian :-)

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HobbyFotoRacer, Germany

I have learned about Timbuktu that even if it's located in Mali (where people mostly speak French) the most inhabitants of Timbuktu speak "Koyra Chinii" which means something like "town language" - I would love to receive a card from there, maybe with one sentence in this language. What a wonderful sponsorship project!

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BeeLee, United States of America

Sounds like an amazing place hit by huge tragedy. I'm glad postcards are helping those in need!

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PeggyLoh, Singapore

This clearly shows we cannot take things for granted...We as PostCrossers look forward to receiving postcards in our mail box everyday....for them, this is the least priority in their minds.....they have other basic things to look sfter.....but I am glad PostCrossing could do something to help them.........cheers...

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Sarahj0260, United Kingdom

Timbuktu is twinned with Hay-on-Wye, on the border of England and Wales.

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Catvb, United States of America

They are only a port city when the river Niger floods in December /January. The Ostrich the worlds largest bird , fastest runner was once a item of commerce trade for Timbuktu, the feathers were wanted in the world. Other birds notetable to the area African Jacana found on the shores of River Niger, Long tailed starling. With its rich history, it is a shame that is has fallen to bouts of terrorism more recently.

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BestemorVonnie, United States of America

Fascinating that mail is carried via motorcycle as well as trucks and airplanes! The land is dry and dwindling water supply as well. War-torn and working hard to survive. Thank you for sharing this information. My heart aches for the people.

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unicorn11, Canada

What a fantastic idea! I was encouraged to look up Timbukto to learn some facts and found out the name Timbukto can also be spelt "Tinbukto", "Timbuctoo" and "Timbuktoo"....thank you postcrossing for opening my eyes to this little jewel of a place!

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MichaelPurfield, United States of America

My fact about Timbuktu is that it is very hard to get there. The nearest passenger airport is a 20-hour drive from the city and a lot of the drive is not on good roads.

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happytowrite, Germany

Love this!!! <3
Maybe this will not be the only country with such a wonderful project in the future, but encourage other people to do something similar :-)
Although French is the official language spoken in Mali, around 35 very different languages can be heard in the country as well.
Among them there are also some Tuareg-languages, and one of them, "Tifinagh", has a reallyreally beautiful alphabeth. Maybe some of you have the chance to have a look at it :-)

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happytowrite, Germany

I just realised that somebody had already written about the languages while I was typing...
So my "new" fact will be: Mali has a big tradition of storytelling, and the storytellers are called "Griots",-they pass on the stories and history of the country and are like living libraries :-)

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Kat-Zen, France

I learned a lot about Timbuktu, and I was especially impressed by this fact:
During the occupation by Islamic extremists the citizens of the city embarked on a drive to save the “best written accounts of African History.” Interviewed by the Times the local residents claimed to have safeguarded the three hundred thousand manuscripts for generations...

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bibliobures, France

A long time ago I read a travel book by René Caillé, the first European to visit Timbuktu and come back, in 1828. It was then a mythical place.

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livi16, Spain

There are three key people in the history of the mythical city of Timbuktu that were born in what is now known as Spain, three figures recognized for their knowledge, their art and their military capacity that make up a shared past unknown to the general public. These three historical figures are the poet and architect Abu Isaq Es Saheli, the santón Sidi Yahya and the military leader Yuder Pachá, born in Granada, Tudela and Cuevas de Almanzora, respectively.

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kbdessai, India

Amazing project!
Timbuktu is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, since December 1988. Unfortunately, the extremists have destroyed much of the heritage. UNESCO UNESCO created a special fund to safeguard Mali's World Heritage Sites, vowing to carry out reconstruction and rehabilitation projects once the security situation allows.

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Kellyoh, United States of America

Timbuktu is located on the southern edge of the Sahara 15 km (9 mi) north of the main channel of the River Niger. The town is surrounded by sand dunes and the streets are covered in sand.

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jmr1739, United States of America

The main crop grown in Timbuktu is rice, which is irrigated from the River Niger. It's remarkable how people can adapt to their environment, and work with what they're given!

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ceoramalho, Brazil

Great project!!!
I've heard before about Timbuktu in movies and books always related to adventures in quite an unknown and mysterious place that was once very important in the past!

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ayubdaspariyar, Nepal

Oh wow. The bustling city in the past is now a deserted place... but that place was an Islamic University hosting place, and African literacy hub! Interesting.

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kovacsnorb, Hungary

I've learnt that the name of city Timbuktu may have Berber origin. The Tuareg founders of the city gave it a Berber name, a word composed of two parts: tim, the feminine form of In (place of) and bouctou, a small dune. Hence, Timbuktu would mean "place covered by small dunes".

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schofam, United States of America

We learned that travel to Timbuktu via air first became available in 1961.

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MyDaydreamingHeart, United States of America

Sad to hear that Timbuktu, once a thriving hub of bustling activity is now a struggling place due to dwindling water supplies and years of war. Hearing this makes me want to help in some way - one postcard at a time!

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Tabse, Germany

I learned that Timbuktu was very important for islamic learning between the 13th and 17th century. It collected many different documents and was filled with knowledge.
Sad to think that a once so flourishing city has become almost forgotten.

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Jen2660, United States of America

I learned about the Tuareg people of Mali- their history, culture, and present day struggle. I also discovered a love for assouf music!

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Phibatola, Greece

To be honest apart from its actually existing I don’t know anything more about it would be glad to help

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ustestheusless, United States of America

WOW! I learned that the Sankoré mosque, also known as the University of Sankoré, was one of the first universities ever built in the world! Would love to receive a card from there!

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buboscandiacus, Finland

What a great project! I did not know that Timbuktu would receive any tourists, but learned that most tourists visit Timbuktu between November and February when the temperature is milder.
I'll get one card sent to my niece, who introduced me to postcrossing!

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rachaeld, United Kingdom

What an amazing project! I hope it gets lots of support and encourages similar projects in other communities.
Fascinating fact: the lowest temperatures in Timbuktu occur in December, January and February (northern hemisphere winter months), but the average maximum temperatures do not drop below 30 °C (86 °F)... not what I’d call wintry temperatures!!

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merlina, Germany

Great story !!! I did not know that Timbuktu is in Africa so far.

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alaskanabbey, United States of America

It has several sister cities, one of which, Chemnitz, I have been to! I have not been to one of it's other sister cities, Tempe, AZ. HA!

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Danikinz, United Kingdom

Amazing project. I learned that Timbuktu actually exists! You always hear it referenced in the media culture, and now I know it's a real place. :)

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misoklau, Germany

Just bought one myself - you could do the same instead of hoping for one of the five cards kindly sponsored by postcrossing.com and provide a little additional support to the project.

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emotis, United States of America

Timbuktu has UNESCO sites: three mosques and 16 mausoleums or cemeteries were selected from the Old Town for World Heritage status.

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jarezien, France

Timbuktu or Tombouctou in French... I've heard about this place several times but last time I remember is when some people saved thousands and thousands of old records, old books, manuscripts written between the 17th and the 19th centuries or even older. They saved this huge collection of unique books mostly written in Arabic and in an African language from fire (some terrorists wanted to destroy them).
A part of their culture has been saved !

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PascaleOh, France

I have learned about the Timbuktu Manuscripts, a collection of manuscripts. "These are copies of older works known in the Arab-Muslim world as well as original local productions, mostly from the 17th to 19th centuries."

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anxious51, United States of America

Great way for the people to make money. It's surrounded by desert which is interesting because not many cities or country can say they live in a desert. Also that is located in Africa I find that fascinating.

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Posttoast, United States of America

As a child I often wondered if Timbuktu was a real place. I would hear people referencing it. I found out later on that it is real! I learned that Timbuktu was a popular trading centre of gold, ivory, and salt. Also, there is evidence of people living in the area as far back as 400 B.C.! Thank you for sharing this story!

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Mirror0505, Russia

I know that in middle ages Timbuktu was considered the most enlightened Muslim city. The ancient manuscripts of Timbuktu, contained in private collections, completely refute the view that in Africa there was no culture of writing. In Timbuktu there were huge libraries, a large number of schools where they taught rhetoric and explained the basics of interpretation of sacred books. The city has preserved the most beautiful mosques built of clay — they are still impressive for their unusual shapes.
It is believed that the great Gaudi drew inspiration for his buildings in the contours of the mosques of Djenne and Djingarey-ber — one of the largest and most beautiful in Mali. Since 1989, all the Adobe houses and attractions of Timbuktu are under the protection of UNESCO.

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Janinelily, United States of America

Interesting! I’ve been learning French on Duolingo- do that would be useful in Timbuctoo!

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AnnickB, France

I didn't know that Tuareg took control at the 15th century
I discovered too what can postcards do there
Thank you

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Rolando, Spain

What an amazing project for atimbuktu travel guides that need help. As you know I have a company or Augmented Reality Postcards (www.martechgroup.es), I’ll be happy to make an AR postcard of the City for they to send, and send them there if we can find just a printing and sending sponsor.
All the best,

Rolando

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Bille, Germany

What a great projekt and I would love to get a card from there.
I've learned about Timbuktu that some years ago terrorists destroyed their UNESCO WHS. .

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anusaw, India

i am amazed to see that this place actually exists! this is the most interesting information Ive come across today,. I do hope this project helps them in some way

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ned44440, Ireland

Timbuktu in on the edge of the Sahara Desert. I have visited the Sahara Desert but not from the Timbuktu side.
Very interesting article and one which leads me to want to learn more.
Thanks for sharing.

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Brigitte-Meyer, France

A great project! One of my dream is to see this city also called "Pearl of Desert" or "the city with 333 saints" If you want to know more about life in this area you can look at the beautiful film called "Timbuktu", dated 12/2014 and made by Abderrahmane SISSAKO.
Happy postcrossing everybody!

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ola_g, Germany

Great idea, it would be fantastic to get a postcard from Timbuktu. I had no idea before that Timbuktu is so old, settled in 5th century BC and a permanent settlement in early 10th century.

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janie55, United States of America

I was in west Africa last year and sadly didn't get to Timbuktu as hoped. I was surprised at how difficult it was to find postcards, post offices, and stamps. I was traveling with the Ghanaian exchange student we hosted 7 years ago. Her family along with most others had no mail carrier delivery, nor even a precise street name or number!

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Tranchile, Guernsey

Timbuktu became part of the current Republic of Mali in 1960. Presently sadly it is impoverished and suffers from desertification. Let us all order at least one postcard to help Phil, Bintou and Ali supplement their income. What a great place to get a card from and also help others less well off than ourselves.

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Jacksss, United States of America

Wow great insight, the fact that I learned was that they weren't always a struggling city. Its sad to hear the fall but spreading awareness like this is what they need. And to be completely honest this post also validated the existence of the city. Best wishes to everyone reading this.

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Hohdin, Finland

"Timbuktu has long been used as a metaphor for "out in the middle of nowhere."

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Norway_girl, Norway

Tibmuktu means "The well of Bouctou".

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GoCindy, United States of America

I learned about precious Timbuktu Manuscripts that are in libraries but in need of preservation.

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amysbrooks, United States of America

A great project that helps people that need it!

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noetnik, Netherlands

Great project!
The name Timbuktu might be from Berber language meaning "She with big belly button"
I enjoy watching the youtube video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4V-QAzKQ3A.

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woven, United States of America

This is amazing! Thank you!
I learned that the city declined during the 1600s for several reasons: competition with trade and the monarch accused scholars of "disloyalty."
It's pretty sad because it sounds like Timbuktu was once a thriving city but never really recovered. I wonder what things would have been like if it never declined..

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Dory1703, Germany

This is a nice project! I did learn about how postcards travel from Timbuktu, it is really impressive!

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sriraamk9380, India

I learnt that people of Timbuktu speak a language called Koyra Chiini !

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Juliettochka, Türkiye

Timbuktu was named for an old woman left to oversee the camp while the Tuareg roamed the Sahara. Her name (variously given as Tomboutou, Timbuktu, or Buctoo) meant “mother with a large navel".

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Star_Butterfly_21, Russia

What a lovely project! I've known that Mali once was an empire and Timbuktu used to be a settlement situated on the crossroad of 5 caravan routes at the edge of the Sahara desert before.

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Rithwik, India

AMAZINGFACT-It is in Mali!!! JK...on a serious note, it is home to one of THE oldest universities, which was established somewhere in 982 CE.....seems it was an intellectual hub too, in 12th century!!!!

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Skelly6, United Kingdom

I didn't realise thatTimbuktu was a regional trade centre in medieval times, where caravans met to exchange salt from the Sahara Desert for gold, ivory, and slaves from the Sahel, which could be reached via the nearby Niger River. I guess that is why it became such a well known place.

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Marukka, Czech Republic

This is great project! I heard about Timbuktu when I was a child in some legends, but I didn't know much more about it till now. I learnt that Timbuktu was a centre of education from 13th to 17th century and the legacy of this famous period is in the Timbuktu's manuscripts.

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inesbarbosa, Portugal

I had no idea it was in Mali! :)

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abbyaguas, Philippines

Oooh, Timbuktu! There used to be a commercial here in PH mentioning Timbuktu when I was young. We do know that it's in Africa, but I didn't know their situation right now. I've imagined agriculture in the place, and I didn't know that they have a good history.

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czuczy66, Canada

Timbuktu became a permanent settlement back in the 10th century, It is located on the southern edge of the Sahara.

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Mara7, Latvia

Thank you for the information about Timbuktu! It is very interesting project!

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Alina1959, Russia

Timbuktu is an ancient city in Mali near Niger. It was one of the largest centers of caravan trade in North-West Africa, had a strategic position on the southern border of the Sahara. Near Timbuktu there is a lot of ruins, testifying to the past greatness of this center of civilization. In Russia there is a children's song about the fabulous city of Timbuktu.

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felsefe, Germany

Amazing that you are supporting this project! I didnt know about Timbuktu. I didnt know that it was an ancient city in Mali. I didnt know that it suffers from desertification. Now, I know much more about it!! Thanks for sharing it!

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Birgl, Germany

Timbuktu has three mud clay mosques which are World Heritage Sites. I think the buildings are very unusual and interesting, I#ve never seen something like that before.

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tybeedreamer, United States of America

Wow didn't know that Timbuktu has been around since 5 BC. I always thought that it was a Mystical city, like Atlantis. Well I learned something "new" today, Thanks for the history lesson.

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Heepy, United States of America

Huh. I don't think my comment posted the first time. Okay, I learned that Timbuktu is in an African country named Mali. I never heard of Mali before, but I knew there was a city named Timbuktu. Thank you for supporting this project and creating awareness. I had found it online about a year ago, but didn't know if it was legit.

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Monsun, Germany

I've learned about Timbuktu. Its an interesting project

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Nzqu, Finland

I learned that they grow rice there, with the help of the River Niger, it's Timbuktu's main crop. I can't even imagine how different life can be there than here in Scandinavia, agricultural wise as otherwise. This was an interesting article thank you for sharing!

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seadra, Germany

Wonderful idea, easy and so creative !

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Animal-Lover, Netherlands

Did you know there are 'Aardvarks' in the North of Timbuktu, in the Sahara?
They have long snouts and long claws on both front and hind feet! :-)
I like them and I think their name is funny.

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aweirdguy, Poland

My fact- each year in Timbuktu is Desert Festival. Many people and artist go to Timbuktu for this occasion.

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Gyuzel, Russia

Today I learned that Timbuktu is a city in Mali, a witness of a magnificent past, located near the Niger River on the edge of the Sahara. It would be nice to get a postcard from Timbuktu.

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inekeb, Netherlands

All the way to Timbuktu, seemed always very far away.
Just coming back from a trip to the South of Africa, I read this story with a lot of interest and learned more about Timbuktu and Bamako,both places in Mali. Thanks to Postcrossing.

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Crystalinne, United States of America

I love this! I would like to be entered please. A couple facts I learned is that the spelling of Timbuktu has changed over the years, and also Although French is Mali's official language, today the large majority of Timbuktu's inhabitants speaks Koyra Chiini, a Songhay language.

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Agi1230, Hungary

I learned that the first European who reached Timbuktu Alexander Gordon Laing, did not arrive until 1826! Timbuktu has so reach history and is beautiful! When I was little I thought it's a place from legends and myths... with this beautifil, special name which little child thinks it's a real place? :) It's a great project, thanks for it!

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purpleorchid, Belize

I learned that Iron Age settlements have been discovered near Timbuktu! Wow!

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Newdawn, Switzerland

Timbuktu is a sister city to Chemnitz, Germany

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Janiejensen13, Canada

A famous Author named Leo Africanus is from Timbuktu
In Mali

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jimfields3, United States of America

A fact that caught my attention: In its Golden Age, Timbuktu's numerous Islamic scholars and extensive trading network made possible an important book trade. Books are the best!

Thanks for drawing attention to this business (and for drawing winners)!

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BritinUsa, United States of America

I had no idea that this was a real country! This blows my mind! I thought it was just a saying... “you took ages! Where did you go to? Timbuktu” What a great project.

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mailmogg, United Kingdom

Many Thanks for the wonderful opportunity to understand so much more about the Scholars of Timbuktu and it's role as a crossroads in the desert. I sponsor Tiekoro from Mali. He will be so surprised to hear my news about Timbuktu. Thanks for this fantastic project. John (Liverpool UK)

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hulamunki, United States of America

What a lovely project! Thank you for bringing it to our attention! Postcrossing is an educational experience for me.
Timbuktu is near the Niger river, and was a trading post on the trans-Saharan route. Historically, it was also the centre of Islamic culture.

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mszatnik, Hungary

Well, today I realized that Timbuktu is situated in Mali. I knew that it is somewhere in Africa but I wasn't aware of the country. Thanks to Postcrossing for this amazing project.

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BritinUsa, United States of America

I learnt that it had a population of 54,453 in the 2009 census!!!!! Wow

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mysweetlife63, United States of America

When I was a child Timbuktu was often mentioned as a point at the end of the world. Today I am sad to learn of their struggles. Thank you for the link & for educating me!

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StetsFlauschig, Germany

I always enjoy learning about remote places. The clay houses, the interesting name of the city and the problems because of the desert moving into the city are some facts which really fascinate me. I tink about 'ordering' a card from the project, because I would love to do someting good while getting a card from a new country :)

Thanks for sharing with us! :)

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joannaivy, United States of America

Timbuktu is a name that our family has thrown around as long as I can remember, used to denote a remote spot on the earth -- but it might as well have referred to another planet, because I never knew one thing about the actual city until now, or at least did not remember anything. I just learned that it is in Mali, whereas I think I mixed it up with a place on a different continent altogether. This is a wonderful project!

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Mimihopps211, Germany

It´s remarkably what a big trip a little piece of paper must travel to go outside the country! I know Timbuktu is somewhere in Africa, but unfortunately not more about it.

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Juliayana, Russia

I love this project!
And I really like Ali Farka Touré's words "For some people, when you say 'Timbuktu' it is like the end of the world, but that is not true. I am from Timbuktu, and I can tell you that we are right at the heart of the world."

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polinaferrari, Russia

I found that there are really beautiful deserts and amazing Mosque! And that average temperature of August is 36.5 degrees (in some days I have the same in my city :D).

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loving6thgrade, United States of America

Timbuktu was under French colonization from 1894-1960. It lies only a few miles from the Niger River. I even have an old globe which shows it located in French West Africa and it is the French spelling Tombouctou .

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triplightly, United States of America

Being a librarian, I decided to check out libraries in Timbuktu. The Ahmed Baba Institute has one of the largest collections of older manuscripts, nearly 30,000, and is working to restore their condition. And I would love to win a card, but regardless, I am happy to help the people there on my own. Vive le Timbuktu!

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GinnyJo, United States of America

Fact-
Even though French is the official language, a large majority of Timbuktu’s inhabitants speak Koyra Chiini.

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Jacque53, United States of America

Timbuktu is located on the southern edge of the Sahara and is surrounded by sand dunes! When I was a child my family used to say that, “going to Timbukto” was like going to somewhere impossible or unimaginable. In fact, I didn’t know that Timbukto was really an actual place until I was an adult!

What a great project this is! I also think I may order a card as well!

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CathyFay, United States of America

I learned that the origin of Timbuktu's name is uncertain. I'll go with the Berber origin meaning "place covered by small dunes".

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victoria_spb, Russia

Research of the magazine "Forbes" put Timbuktu in the top ten cities likely by the end of this century disappear from the face of the earth. Citizens, the government of Mali has taken measures to ward off Sands and once again make the earth green, in particular by planting trees. But these efforts are ineffective, some parts of the city already half buried in the sand... I wish the citizens of Timbuktu luck and strength for the salvation of their city.

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CarminaBurana, Canada

I have learn that the Touaregs took control of that city in the 15th century and that french is spoken there. Great project and I may consider to buy a postcard. :)

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beesknees, United States of America

We used to have a saying in the UK - "where is it" or "where are you going" - Timbuktu?, meaning unrealistically far away - probably this is still a saying.

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druobryant, United States of America

I’m a history teacher and I teach about Timbuktu in the Middle Ages, when they were a trading center for gold, salt, etc. This postcard idea is so cool!!

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DoTea, Germany

I have learnt that Timbuktu is an oasis town about 20 km north of Niger River.

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Washisaur, United Kingdom

I've learned that Timbuktu is an UNESCO World Heritage Site!

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Carlissa904, United States of America

This is a great project! I looked up Timbuktu and found out that it is the capital of the Timbuktu Region, one of the eight administrative regions of Mali. It had a population of 54,453 in the 2009 census. I wonder what the population is now?

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CliffClaven, Luxembourg

Timbuktu has long been an invaluable source of medieval Islamic texts. But saving precious cultural treasures has been difficult in recent years of war and unrest.

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STUFFellaneous, United States of America

The spelling of Timbuktu has changed a few times.

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CorgiGirl, United States of America

Timbuktu - historically important as a trading post on the trans-Saharan caravan route. It would be exciting to open my mailbox and find a postcard from Timbuktu!

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mounten, Italy

Timbuktu is a ancient city in Mali with a very sad History. I'll support the project by sending some postcards from over there.

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TheBattlefront2, United States of America

That Timbuktu was in Africa

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CindyMc, United States of America

How wonderful for Postcrossing to support this project. I just learned that in its Golden Age, Timbuktu was a scholarly center of Africa. Also, it is always HOT there. The main agricultural crop is rice.

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Galaksi, Finland

As a language enthusiastic it was interesting to learn that French is Mali's official language but the most of people speak a language called Koyra chiini!

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GayeDoreen, United States of America

I think it would be a great idea to do this. I hope they have great success! It would definitely be worth paying for a card from Timbuktu!

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CharlottePia, Germany

Nice to read and know about such a wonderful idea

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sc, United States of America

Very cool. I honestly didn't know Timbuktu was a real place. I learned the spelling has changed over time.

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sallyanne, United States of America

I did not know Timbuktu was a World Heritage Site. I will purchase some postcards from Phil, Binto and Ali for sure!

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norfolkgal, United Kingdom

Timbuktu was founded in the 11th century and it became a major trading centre primarily for gold and salt.
Another example of postcards making the world a better place

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sokakkedisi, Türkiye

I know Mali the country but didn’t know that it’s capital is Timbuktu.

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silfurstjarna, Iceland

I didn't know that Timbuktu was in Mali! Thank you for the info and hopefully this project goes well :)

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babytreese, United States of America

A young lady who braided my hair was speaking a language I never heard before, she said it was Bambara...French is the main language of Mali, but I hope that Bambara makes a strong comeback! Great project!!

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borealis, Norway

I don't even have to check the link to know of Timbuktu's wonderful manuscript collections and how they have been saved more than once, by resourceful people willing to die to preserve a bit of all our history.

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Gamaldan, Brazil

Timbuktu was a regional trade centre in medieval times, where caravans met to exchange salt from the Sahara Desert for gold, ivory, and slaves from the Sahel, which could be reached via the nearby Niger River.

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konfuzedwithaK, United States of America

I learned today that Timbucktu is a sister city with Tempe, Arizona!

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singapore_huey, Singapore

Sidi Yahya Mosque is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and it is at Timbuktu.

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CraftyTokyoMama, Japan

Temperatures in Timbuktu never fall below 30 degrees Celsius!

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juliakay, United States of America

The streets of Timbuktu are covered in sand!

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MamaSarah, United Kingdom

I'm definitely going to look into buying some cards now. It's not a huge amount of money compared to so many other things I buy without thinking, yet can make such a difference to these people who are working so hard for a livelihood.
I'm fascinated by the description that Timbuktu was a forested region that is now practically desert. The extreme changes that have been undergone by our planet are seen so vividly in places like this.

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Sirena, Russia

thank you for the great idea of postcrossing! I like to send cards to strangers and get them from strangers. I have been in the project for more than 7 years, and during this time I have found many friends around the world. I heard about Timbuktu, but I didn't think there are some postcrossers. I wish a lot of Love, Light and Good to these people!

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kenortm, United States of America

I learned that it is in Mali and near the Niger River. I always thought it might be made up because in the South (in the US) we always thought it might just mean "in the middle of nowhere".

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la_luna_pusa, Philippines

Timbuktu is mostly Islamic so they don’t celebrate Christmas there. I once asked Postcards from Timbuktu to ask the sender to write about X’mas there And that was what they told me. They celebrate Muslim holidays instead. Oh, and you can ask them to make you a handmade postcard. The artists are schoolchildren with good painting skills for their age.

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Knerq, United States of America

I read that "The main agricultural crop is rice. African floating rice (Oryza glaberrima) has traditionally been grown in regions near the river that are inundated during the annual flood. Seed is sown at the beginning of the rainy season (June–July) so that when the flood water arrives plants are already 30 to 40 cm (12 to 16 in) in height."

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volvomom, United States of America

This is amazing. Thank you, Postcrossing, for once again making the world a smaller place and showing us that goodness does exist.

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keydidilein, United States of America

That is such a great idea. I did not know that there are 4 different origins of the name Timbuktu. I also found out, after looking at a map of the city, that most of the roads go from east to west and north to south so they form little rectangles. From above, it looks similar to New York City.

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Iside82, Italy

I'm so happy you wrote about this project on the blog! I have bought a card in the past and I had a great experience with it. You can have a postcard from a very special place and at the same time help the people living there.

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NancyfromBC, United States of America

I learned that Timbuktu was a regional trade center in the medieval times, where caravans would meet to exchange salt from the Sahara Desert for gold, ivory, and slaves from the Sahel, which could be reached by the very close Niger River

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ACEA13, United States of America

Learned a bunch of interesting facts... Here's one:
In the early 10th century, Timbuktu became a permanent settlement. Before that, it was seasonal.

This is such a great project!

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TravelWithMe, United States of America

I love the idea of Postcards from Timbuktu, and I wish them much success! I am a reader, and I know that literacy and books were symbols of wealth, power, and blessings to the people of Timbuktu, and the acquisition of books became a primary concern for scholars in the 15th and 16th centuries.

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BrilliantDisguise, Sweden

I learned that there are at least four possible origins of the name Timbuktu and that the spelling of the name has varied a lot over time.

Also, there is a famous musician in Sweden called Timbuktu. :)

Thanks for the chance of winning a card from a very special place.

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ChaelaMonstah, United States of America

What a wonderful project!

When I was in middle school, we learned about different religions. I remembered learning that Timbuktu was a center of scholarly study in the Islamic world for hundreds of years.

Thank you for spreading awareness about this incredible project and for so kindly offering Postcrossers the opportunity to win a postcard from Timbuktu!

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gmangiamele, United States of America

So thrilled to know about this.

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ALFAVIT, Russia

The legendary city of Timbuktu, fanned by a lot of myths. Some people even doubt that it exists in the Sahara. Nevertheless, it turns out that Timbuktu is very real. :)

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ALFAVIT, Russia

it's great to be able to get a postcard from this enchanting place in Mali.

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spanky, Australia

The biggest thing I learnt was how little I know!
I know the name, of course, but I had no idea of the mythical associations nor how significant it was in terms of trade or enlightenment. I hope this amazing place isn't lost.

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sfichialos, United States of America

Timbuktu was a regional trade center in medieval times, where caravans met to exchange salt from the Sahara Desert for gold, ivory, and slaves from the Sahel, which could be reached via the nearby Niger River.

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jjmedusa, United States of America

A fact I learned about Timbuktu is that it is located in Mali. I never knew which country it was in before. Thank you for this giveaway!

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KimMath, Australia

What a wonderful initiative! I have now learnt that in the 16th century Timbuktu was the site of a major Islamic University!

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kakarctic, United States of America

This is such an amazing read! I didn't know each of those cards were $10, that's crazy... maybe we can do something as a community to make postcards more available to postcrossers there?

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siff, United States of America

When we were on a 'road trip' and Dad got lost driving, Mom always said we'd end up in Timbuktu. I've still never made it there... Timbuktoo - so remote there was a prize for anyone who could go there and make it back alive. And it was won by Rene Caillie, a Frenchman.

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mai0hmai, Philippines

"From here to Timbuktu". Although it was one of the last stops of the Saharan trade route in its prime, Timbuktu was known for BOOK TRADE at the Sankore Madrasah (University of Sankore) which was established in the 1300's.

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hadaverde, United States of America

I am a book and library enthusiast but until reading the linked Wikipedia entry, I never realized how much Timbuktu has contributed to the collection and preservation of manuscripts!

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Kedar, India

I learnt that Timbuktu is home to historically important and ancient mosques and mausoleums but sadly very few tourists visit it🙄

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alterego, Canada

I was amazed to learn that Timbuktu once had an extensive trading network made possible an important book trade and was once a scholarly centre in Africa.

This is a wonderful project

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Esaar, Indonesia

I have read that Timbuktu was the end of the world, Donald Duck said that haha. I read that funny word in a novel named Intelegensi Embun Pagi, written by Dee Lestari from Indonesia. In my other child magazine, they said Timbuktu have some gorgeous history to learn, the center of knowledge on it's time. I really want to see that place someday!

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RV-En-Terre-Inconnue, Canada

Timbuktu is known as the “City of 333 Saints” because 333 saints were laid to rest in the city... Would love to get a postcard from Timbuktu.

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robinmp, United States of America

French is the official language but today the large majority of Timbuktu's inhabitants speak Koyra Chiini, a Songhay language that also functions as the lingua franca.

So happy to see this project and what beautiful postcards!!!

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zachary, Canada

My comment is that I learned that Timbuktu is actually in Mali. For more than 50 years I have heard of Timbuktu, even saw it mentioned in various movies , not to mention saw it referenced on stamps in my collection but never realized exactly where it was. At this time I feel oh so Not smart !

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jptiramisu, Canada

The fact I learned is that there are several spelling for Timbuktu: Tombouctou Timbuktoo Timbuctoo. Also, some people think it’s a fictional place.

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selfishgula, United States of America

Wow! What a great project! I learned a lot about Timbuctu also I was spelling it wrong all this years! For shame. Oh yes I also know that Mamoudou Gassama is from Mali! Life is very hard there and I hope this project helps a little. Fingers crossed for a postcard from Mali.

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CaptainCool, United States of America

In medieval times, caravans would meet there, as it was a regional trade center. Salt, which was a rare and VERY valuable commodity, was often traded for Gold, Ivory and other goods. The salt was sourced from the surrounding Sahara dessert.

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TeaRex, United States of America

I learned that during World War II Timbuktu was used to house prisoners of war. Lots of history there!!

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Gangurru, Costa Rica

I have no idea about where is located Timbuktu. I like Postcrossing because I can learn about rare Countries to me. I am going to read more about it. Very interesting to me. Postcrossing is great but I have to send cards to the same Countries, and I got cards from the same Countries.
i would like to send many many many cards to Timbuktu.

I read that: Timbuktu is still a legendary city, forged between gold and salt, whose extraordinary heritage is in danger, as the Franco-African tension in Mali increases.

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Shizhe, China

Timbuktu is an old city which owns long history.She witness the glory of Mali Empire and Songhai Empire,and I wish she will be a beautiful city soon.

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touda2333, China

That is a good project for me to learn Timbuktu!
In my understanding,The name of Timbuktu has always been associated with the Niger river. Africa's third largest river, like a full bow, full of strength and tension, cuts the southern edge of the Sahara and flows into the Atlantic ocean near the equator. Timbuktu, like the arrowhead that appears on the back of the bow, points firmly to the vast expanse of the northern Sahara. In this way, the geographical significance of this legendary city can be understood.

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Trot, Kazakhstan

Great idea! I heard about this city before, but thanks to this project I learned more about it. Would be very glad to receive a postcard from Timbuktu

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MareGel, Philippines

I HAVE LEARNED THAT....Timbuktu was a regional trade centre in medieval times , and a very good place to hone your trade skills and barter gold salt and many more. Its a great place absolutely!!!!

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gwf, Thailand

I love books and so pleased to learn that Timbuktu had great libraries and was a center of learning, which confirms the powerful idea of Black Athena. Gerald W. Fry

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KariC, United States of America

Thank you for sharing this. It is sad to see such a historied place end up on a back burner. I didn't realize how many camels it would take to deliver food to salt miners and to bring back the slabs of salt. Caravans of several thousands of camels would certainly have been something to see!

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joyoustmjp, United States of America

Wow - I learned a lot - I didn't know the city is 1000 years old, or that it was an important part of the book trade (that's my kinda city)! :) Chemnitz, Germany is also as Sister City (Dusseldorf just recently celebrated it's 30-year Sister City relationship with Chemnitz a few months ago). I really hope the problems in the city can be reversed, & it can once again be a city of great learning & culture. I'd love to be able to visit.

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petrini1, United States of America

I learned quite a bit about it last year, helping my son study for AP World History tests. For instance, Timbuktu was part of the ancient Mali empire, and a major stop on the Trans-Saharan trade route.

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shihmeisu, Taiwan

I hope everyone can go to Tumbutu to see the style of the ancient literary flower rendezvous and help the locals develop sightseeing.

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susandg, Philippines

Growing up, I would sometimes hear the word "Timbuktu" from adults who would "threaten" about sending you to Timbuktu if you didn't behave. It wasn't until later in life that I realized there's an actual place called Timbuktu. Last month, BBC aired a show about it, with the journalist going on a camel journey to reach what is also known as the City of Gold. How wonderful to learn that there's a Postcards from Timbuktu project!

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chankljp, United Kingdom

I just learn about this project from your blog post, and find the idea to be a very smart idea for the locals to be making a bit of supplementary income despite the situation.

So... fact I learned about Timbuktu: The fact that the ancient Mali kingdom was so wealthy thanks to it's trade routes from Timbuktu that, as a result of it's King, Mansa Musa, making a pilgrimage to Mecca from 1324 to 1325, he and his retinue brought with them such a MASSIVE influx of gold when passing though the markets of Cairo that they unintentionally devalued the precious metal for the next decade not only in the Middle East, but the entire Mediterranean!

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buraiamaria, Russia

I've just learnt about this place and now I'd like to know more. But the most important fact that I knew now is that in this place live wonderful person.
I hope I can visit it in future. It's very important project specially for people like me who lives too far from Timbuktu.
I don't have many opportunities to know a lot about such events so Postcrossing is really an useful and kind project!

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keshavayg, India

timbuktu, name itself sounds different to me, with some songs have this in them..i am attracted to this name, but not tried to learn bunch about that, through this i wish people of the Timbuktu a prosperous and healthy future..keshav

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meghna_, Germany

Really great project... I did know about this place. And now to learn that a once flourishing city with riches of gold, ivory and a centre of learning is on the decline, makes me feel sad. I hope it can regain its stature some day.

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Herr_, Switzerland

A friend of mine once been there (plus Djenné of course) for 2 weeks, amazing place indeed! 🇲🇱🇲🇱🇲🇱

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sambooth, Australia

Ive learned that it’s avtually a real place! I had no idea (I know, shame on me 😦) but what a brilliant way to help the people of Timbuktu bring much needed funds into the community. Thank you so much for bringing this amazing project to our attention!

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LindaTsai, Taiwan

There is an activity called Festival au Désert held in January to celebrate the peace treaty.💐

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Ann34, Belgium

The language of Timbuktu is, besides the French, Korya Chiini, the Songhay language.

Reading is ay cow and likewise calling;
Greeting is sallam
Breaking fast is feer-mee;
dinner they say hawre;
then lunch for them is ay cirkose.

Of course this is the fonetic writing, as the language is written in the Arabic alfabet.

Source : lughat.blogspot.com, from a Timbuktu manuscript poem

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wonderlyn, United States of America

I like that you're encouraging people to research a little about Timbuktu. I found this fact: a 2006 survey of 150 young Britons found 34% did not believe the town existed, while the other 66% considered it "a mythical place". Also, Tempe, AZ is one of its sister cities!

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Lulu1998, France

Also participating, what a journey for a postcard!

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Nymphaea26, Ukraine

Timbuktu was a world centre of Islamic learning from the 13th to the 17th century, especially under the Mali Empire and Askia Mohammad I's rule. Wow I wonder how it became a such consumed place ?

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Lox, Germany

This is a worthy project. I had no idea how expensive it can be to write a postcard.
I learned that the mean temperature in Timbuktu is 28 °C. It’s dry and hot.

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ukrop, Russia

I shared it with my friends! It is better when lot of people will know about it

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Dancing_Sun, Thailand

Timbuktu is an ancient city located in about the centre of Mali. It is listed in the Unesco's WHS. Its temperature is a bit hotter than Bangkok!

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linku, Germany

looooong ways.... :O)

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noranora, Latvia

I have learned about Timbuktu -the name alone sounds like a fairy-tale! Great history, god luck in future!

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ZhivayaYa, Russia

Thank you for such interesting and useful information and also for support of people who live there!
It is very expensive to buy post cards and stamps there!
It would be desirable to receive a post card from there and also I want to send a post card there.

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Burialsheer, Estonia

The University of Sankoré was built in the 14th centrury. It was one of the first universities build and the largest university in the world at the time (25 000 students).
Thank you so much for this giveaway! A postcard from Timbuktu would be a great addition to my collection. :)

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realSherlock, Germany

I've learned that it's a great thing to support Timbuktu's people increase their income by supporting that project. Good luck!

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kojep, Indonesia

i dont know a fact about Timbuktu. Its too far from here and i havent learn anything in my school. After i read this blog, i only know about Mali before. So the fact about Timbuktu, i read all in this article.

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lama1, Netherlands

Never thought that salt, from saltmines north of the city, was the main trade in the old days in Timbuktu

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KaFrie, Germany

My son was in Gao, Mali, as a soldier and I learned a lot about about Mali during this four month. And most of it was the poverty and friendliness in this country, that deserves peace like every country!

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Flocke2010, Germany

IA while back I saw a documentation about the Timbuktu Manuscripts - the city is famous for its booktrade and libraries

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Whitelake, Russia

Timbuktu is located on the southern edge of the Sahara. The main asset of the city is more than 100,000 manuscripts, some of which date back to the 12th century. Today, Timbuktu is a poor city. City streets are filled with sand. I didn't know about this place. Thank you.

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stukgelezen, Netherlands

What a great idea! Love music from Mali, and once read the beautiful book by Maryse Condé, Segou about the history of Timbuktu. A pity life is a struggle for the people there!

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Momentensammlerin, Germany

In the 19th century Timbuktu was a legend and Europeans searched for this mystical city. It was very dangerous and even if they found the city in the desert, as Christians it was not safe for them to stay. The German scientist Heinrich Barth, however, made it to the city and lived there undercover for almost two years. He spoke Arabic fluently and made friends there. But when the people found out that he was a European, he had to leave. With the help of his friends he could escape. Today in Timbuktu there is even a street named after him and they still remember him.

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Laszlito, Hungary

Great project! I learned that parts of Timbuktu's town centre belong to the UNESCO World Heritage sites, and these sites are in danger. :-(

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Moonwitch, Germany

Interesting to read, how postcards can help. I really don't know much about Timbuktu, but would love to find out more!

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Noir05, Czech Republic

We need your help.I love meaningful projects and I support them.Timbuktu has a beautiful,but very sad history.I recommend the film Timbuktu 2014.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cs2dYAlbINY.Even if a postcard from Timbuktu I don't get,I'll send it to someone else.
pity that even when the cards physically out of Mali,stating the ID of their country.Or is there another way?

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Lisanne95, Netherlands

What an amazing project! I was fascinated to learn about the fact that Timbuktu is surrounded by sand dunes and that the streets are covered in sand. This is so different from Holland, I cannot imagine the streets here fully covered in sand..

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duck2006, Germany

I‘ve learned that Timbuktu is in Mali

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vesnal, Slovenia

I tought that there is more population in Timbuktu. We are jokink at home, that when kids are wild, we will send them to Timbuktu.

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Cubbie, Germany

Sound to simple, why don't wie have similar Projekts in other countries too? Great idea which should be supported by our Community.

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LaLi_Bo, Italy

'Where the map of this world ends, that's where the map of Timbuktu begins.' From Timbuktu by P. Auster

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ZenCat, United States of America

The ancient history of Timbuktu includes nearby Iron Age remains, as well as Islamic universities. What an amazing place!

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lilnguyener, United States of America

I have always enjoyed learning about languages, so here is a fact: even though French is its official language, Koyra Chiini is spoken by the majority of Timbuktu, with Arabic spoken as a more scholarly language.

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FRIESEANTILLEN, Netherlands

Timbuktu Crossroad between the desert and the tropical parts of West Africa and UNESCO heritage!

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Sweet_Maryjane, Belarus

I know that Timbuktu is considered "the edge of the world"

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postpuppy, Pakistan

Thats a great blog entry, first time I'm reading about Timbuktu. It would be nice to receive from this region. Good Luck to ME ;)

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Olddutch, Spain

What an amazing project! Thank you for getting Postcrossing involved in this.
Great to read info on Timbuktu. I knew nothing about it, not even that it was part of Mali. I enjoyed reading the story of Shabeeny, who described Timbuktu as being surrounded by forests.... must have been an amazing place then.

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skeggia, Italy

Timbuktu is an old city located in Mali...finger crossed ;)

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MariannaR, Ireland

Love this CSR project - it never cease to amaze me how postcrossing can always find a way to help through postcards, amazing ..very well done!

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HopeWillGoPlaces, Philippines

Thank you, Postcrossing, for taking part in this project. I've learnt from this blog post that Timbuktu while here I am complaining about the delay in the delivery of the postcards addressed to me, there are people whose outgoing mail take so many routes. Also $80 a month? That's like my budget for skincare. :( I hope it'll be peaceful there in the future.

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Nuuk, Germany

I would like to join in, too. Of Timbuktu I've heard something before, but until now always believed it would be a "fancy name"

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friendsbypost, United Kingdom

Timbuktu is twined with Hay-on-Wye in the UK.

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Ingmal, Austria

Oh what a great idea and project!
Interesting is that Timbuktu flourished from the trade of salt just as Hallstatt in Upper Austria.

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ejcain, United States of America

This is such a great project! I hope this blog post brings more business to these men and their country. I liked to read about the festival called the Festival au Desert, which celebrates a peace treaty in 1996 when 3,000 weapons were burned in a ceremony.

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aliniroi, Russia

I've learned that Timbuktu features a hot desert climate according to the Köppen Climate Classification. The weather is hot and dry throughout much of the year.
Also, thank you very much for this amazing project!

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StuartH, United Kingdom

Timbuktu is home to around 60 libraries of different sizes.

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uzbek, Uzbekistan

I havent know that Timbuktu exist 😳, shame on me. And this is a great project! And fact - Timbuktu is located on the southern edge of the Sahara 15 km north of the main channel of the River Niger.

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wifetoalineman, United States of America

The weather is hot and dry throughout much of the year. Average daily maximum temperatures in the hottest months of the year – April, May and June – exceed 40 °C (104 °F). Lowest temperatures occur during the Northern hemisphere winter – December, January and February. However, average maximum temperatures do not drop below 30 °C (86 °F). Their weather is almost like my native country the Philippines. I would love to receive a postcard from Timbuktu ;)

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MerlinHa, Estonia

Although now held by the government of Mali, In July 2012 Timbuktu was captured Islamist rebels who captured the city from a secular rebel group in June. The rebels imposed sharia law, which includes mandatory veils for women, the stoning of adulterers, and punitive "amputations" for thieves. The rebels called for the destruction of all of the city's shrines, which they believe to be a form of idolatry banned by Islam.

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Milo4U, Finland

What a wonderful project! I learned at least that Timbuktu doesn't mean "at the end of the world". For the people living there it's a home as much as anyplace.

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IanF, Australia

What a fantastic project. Timbuktu has such a mythology about it based largely on its history as an Islamic centre of learning. It's fantastic how learning can create a Golden Age in all cultures.

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ctr, Germany

I have learnt that Timbuktu is a sister city to 6 other cities, for example Chemnitz in Germany.
I think it is good to support the people there.

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dardaXX, Belarus

Timbuktu was a regional trade centre in the Middle Ages, where caravans met to exchange salt from the Sahara Desert for gold and ivory.Today, the city is still inhabited, but it plays little role on the world stage. By the way the first European to reach Timbuktu was Alexander Gordon Laing.

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runokuono, Finland

After a short looking up the historical facts, I have to say "you have to
struggle". Timbuktu known to me only `a foreign country` come closer
by this message. I hope the fellows keep up this postcard work !
Runokuono, August the 12. 2018

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Cardexplorer, United States of America

Timbuktu has 6 sister cities. This includes one in the USA, Temple Arizona.

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lalalander, Malaysia

Wow, what a fantastic project... What I have learned about Timbuktu today is that it is an UNESCO World Heritage Site. It seems a bit run down. Its location is at the edge of the Saharan Desert..

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yusofharun, Malaysia

"To the people of Timbuktu, literacy and books were symbols of wealth, power, and blessings and the acquisition of books became a primary concern for scholars"

Knowledge, is indeed, powerful

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Patrick, Germany

I am totally surprised to learn that postage from Mali to Europe costs $2.20! That's so much money for the local people. I will really take a look at supporting this group. All the best!

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Caramiga, France

I saw the movie Timbuktu, it's very beautiful, I understand why it gots awards.
I also know that the population makes the mosquea new each year, because it's built whit raw earth.
What a pity that the war makes this place so insecure !

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taorni, Spain

My uncle was there some years ago, I was impressed by his photos of the amazing buildings, wow! Also, he showed me the love of the people for the music and the likeness with Spanish flamenco
Thanks for the giveaway and for letting us know about this project

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Die_Kupferkatze, Germany

I've lernt that most buildings there are made of clay and that Timbuktu is also used as a synonym for a place far far away.
It's also great to hear about this project :)

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Tremet, France

As you know Timbuktu is on the UNESCO World heritage list. But did you know that Timbuktu was one of the 21 finalists of the New Seven Wonders in the world contest in 2007 ?

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Trans_Niqabi, United States of America

Please do not enter me into the drawing BUT I wanted to say I just ordered a postcard from them because I think that it is a good way to give people employment and extra income. $10 was not too much for me.....but hopefully, it will help them. I am inspired by their initiative and creativity.....what a great way to show the world the beautiful country of Mali!

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Bees-and-Butterflies, France

I found the history of Timbuktu fascinating as salt has a large part to play in our local history as well. Our salt was transported on river barges whereas in Timbuktu there were large caravans of several thousand camels taking three weeks each way, transporting food to the miners and returning with each camel loaded with four or five 30 kg (66 lb) slabs of salt. The salt transport was largely controlled by the desert nomads of the Arabic-speaking Berabich tribe. Although there are no roads, the slabs of salt are now usually transported from Taoudenni by truck. From Timbuktu the salt is transported by boat to other towns in Mali.

Great project. Thank you for bringing it to my attention.

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GJ, Japan

Very nice initiative :) The name of Timbuktu is using two words

tim, the feminine form of In (place of) and bouctou, a small dune. Hence, Timbuktu means "place covered by small dunes"

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mailyuki, Hong Kong

Wow it definitely a great project! It's my first time heard about this place! By looking up the information, I can't imagine it used to be a center of learning and trading, and it even got the world's earliest university! It really broaden my horizon and I will support the project in the future!

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WandererJay, Taiwan

First time I heard about Timbuktu in a book called The Travels which was written by Ibn Battuta, a muslim explorer. That book really worth reading. Hope someday I can follow his path, go traveling to Timbuktu for watching those monuments.

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BeckyS, United States of America

I looked up a recipe ( Couscous Timbuktu Style) to make and enjoy with my two granddaughters:
https://theglobalreader.com/2013/02/03/couscous-timbuktu-style/

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_peiying_, Malaysia

This project is so meaningful and I'm so happy because they can earn a living by this way. Every small order we make will be a big matter for them. So glad that I can do something to help the people there. It's proved to me again that the world is full of warmth.

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Veterok54, Russia

The significance of the city as a religious and cultural center is evidenced by the West African Muslim proverb:
"Salt comes from the north,
gold from the south,
but the word of God and wisdom are from Timbuktu. "

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ave, United States of America

Wow! What a great project! I have learned that the Berber name of Timbuctou actually means "place of small dunes." Fascinating!

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AliceMelao, Portugal

It is so sad that places such as Timbuktu with so much history and culture are to destroyed due to the irrationality of religion. I hope this project helps them rise and become stronger.

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Helena60, Netherlands

What a great idea and project this is! I only knew Timbuktu as a kind of joke. I'm going to Timbuktu! It means I'm going very far away! I never realised that it is a city that already exist in the 10th century and it has such a great history. So many different things have happened there. So Postcrossing brought Timbuktu nearby!

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TravelingHawkeye, United States of America

What an amazing project !!! The ancient mosques and the exposed building structur was really fascinating to read about. While reading about great history and rich culture , we can also learn more from someone who actually lives in that place. Local tips if we ever get to cross Timbuktu off of our bucket list... ;)

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So_nata, Russia

What an amazing project ! I love it and hope I get such a card in future:)

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mjlowe, United States of America

Thank you for supporting this project and sharing it with the Postcrossing community as an opportunity for us to help others. As a librarian, I am always interested in other country's library systems and/or efforts to preserve information. I learned that Abdel Kader Haidara, organized to have 350,000 medieval manuscripts smuggled out of Timbuktu for safekeeping. Important work!

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AdventureTaryn, United States of America

I learned that French is one of the major languages in this country =D and Koyra Chiini =D these cards are beautiful!

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hellerib, United States of America

I learned about desertification- a word I never heard before...meaning that by either climate change(natural or human created) and over use, the land becomes too arid and unusable...and water is severely lacking. The people are already impoverished. I can't imagine how much worse this can get. It is heartbreaking.

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greatoaksstudents, Taiwan

During World War II Timbuktu was used to house prisoners of war.

Great idea! We’d love a card from there!

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swwng, Malaysia

What a wonderful giveaway! Thank you for sharing this wih us. I have just learned that Timbuktu is a city in Mali which is on the Africa continent. Coincidentally, it is also a UNESCO world heritage site which is a card of my wishlist.

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NereisM, Canada

I learned they had a festival to celebrate peace, I hope they can experience more peace so that they may be able to celebrate and have the happy lives they deserve, rather than all the difficult times they must endure right now :(

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sabatonian, United States of America

The first and most important fact I learned is that Timbuktu exists! It was also amazing to learn that no European stepped foot in the city until 1826.

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Korttien_kuningatar, Finland

What an interesting read about a very exotic place. I learned among other things that one possible meaning of the name Timbuktu is ”a place. covered by small dynes”. Makes me imagine how it looks like there!

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Eiain, United Kingdom

Fantastic project. I learned many things about Timbuktu, but the most impressive for me, being a book fiend, was that Timbuktu housed more than 700,000 manuscripts, forming a priceless written record of African history. Before and during the occupation of the city by Islamic militants, more than 300,000 Timbuktu manuscripts from the Ahmed Baba Institute and from private libraries were saved and moved to more secure locations in Mali.

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jennylee60, United States of America

I found the book trade in Timbuktu fascinating. This is a really great giveaway. Thanks for hosting it

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Sissi69, Italy

Unfortunately I've not heard anything about this place, but I'd like very much to receive the postcards! :-)
Thanks.

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RomaandPaul, United States of America

Timbuktu can be reached by car, boat, or plane. I think I'd choose boat—it may take three days to reach Timbuktu, but it definitely sounds like the journey will be worth it. A World UNESCO site is always a treat to experience!

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GalaOleg, Russia

We heard about Timbuktu in a deep childhood in a fairy tale about Africa. Then, in youth, we heard the song of the popular Russian band "The Secret". There are such words:
... In the remote bay of Timbuktu
There is a house near Sarah Barabu,
Sarah Baraboo, Sarah Baraboo,
She has a cow Mu ...

And now we learned a lot of interesting things. For example, that the population of Timbuktu is less than 60 thousand people, and in our the city Tyumen - more than 700 thousand. We learned about the hot climate, about the salt trade, about the fact that rice is grown in Timbuktu! And many more interesting things. We would very much like to receive a postcard from Timbuktu!

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Peskipixi, United States of America

Timbuktu was a medieval regional trade center

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angeleye, Germany

I learned that the main language spoken in Timbuktu is Koyra Chiini, although French is the official language in Mali.
I have known about the project Postcards of Timbuktu before. I ordered a card from them a while ago and received it without problems. I was fascinated to read in an article that the project is the only reason for the post office in Timbuktu to open. It's great if it can help people to earn a living.

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kikataika, Hungary

While visiting the Sahara desert I have met a camel man who told me that before he was a tourist guide he lived the usual nomad life, exchanging goods all over the desert. Once they travelled to Timbuktu on their camels. He also introduced me to the music of Tinariwen a band famous for their style: Sahara Blues. I had the luck to see them performing live in London.

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Tiru, Germany

Thats a great idea. The fact I learned: Timbuktu started as a summer encampment for nomadic tribes of the region.

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biblio_dani, Germany

This is a really great project and I would really love to receive a postcard from Timbuktu. More than 10 years ago I studied Social Sciences with special focus on Africa and Africanistics as a minor subject so I love a lot of African things (books, music, FOOD!...).
I learned that there are up to 60 private libraries in Timbuktu which I find especially interesting because nowadays I am studying Library and Information Sciences.

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FloridaBoy, Thailand

Wonderful project! :) The fact I learned about Timbuktu: The city was a major centre for Islamic learning between the 13th and 17th centuries.

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alison41, South Africa

Because I live in Africa, and often write about my daily life, I named my Wordpress blog despatchesfromtimbuktu.wordpress.com . I'd love to receive a card from Timbuktu!

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jeroenvberlo, Netherlands

What a fantastic way to help out an area in need of a helping hand. Fact :"Dutch writer Carry Slee , childrens books. Wrote a book See you in Tumbuktu."

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Mardi_Gras, United States of America

One fact I have learned about Timbuktu is that this city has an airport ,called Timbuktu Airport with just one runway which is paved and extends 6,923 feet.

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TattooMom, Netherlands

Whata a brilliant project. Do they know that we (in any case in the Netherlands) use their city name in a saying when speaking about e.g. someone who left without notice and probably far far away: he went to Timbuktu?

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mcbuchanan, Canada

Timbuktu has some badass librarians that were able to save a bunch of priceless manuscripts and things during their war. There's a book about them....'the badass librarians of timbuktu', worth a read.

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yu_lika, Russia

I learned that Timbuktu has three of the oldest mosques in Western Africa and that Arabic was widely spoken there, introduced together with the Islam. I'm learning Arabic, so the fact was interesting for me.
I also think it is interesting that according to the 2006 survey of 150 young Britons, 34% of them did not believe the town existed. If the project can tell people about this place and help its inhabitants earn a living, I find the project very useful.

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Ela12, Germany

The climate there is very dry and hot with an avarage temperature of 28°C.
That means summertime for the whole year! For me that will be too hot.

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emede, United States of America

Timbuktu once hosted the largest university in the world, known as the University of Sankoré.

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Pangolee, United States of America

I did not know that Timbuktu was suffering from desertification. And I had no idea it was so hot all the time. Or that Al Qaeda was such a dire problem. Or that it had so many UNESCO sites. I hope Timbuktu can find healing and relief.

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Coi, Germany

I learned that Timbuktu has once been a part of the french colony.
Thank you for informing about the situation and project. I love that postcrossing opens my mind a bit more every time!

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ryanzhelp, United States of America

Fascinating how Timbuktu was at one point a very important part of trade routes. I'm also interested in how different languages represent place names, in this case, how the French speakers refer to this location as Tombouctou.

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Regndroppar, Finland

Timbuktu has a hot desert climate and the temperatures rarely drop below 30 C (86 F). That's something! The hottest record temperatures are almost as high as 50 C (122 F)!

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Mokum13, Germany

I learned that Timbuktu lies directly at the Sahara desert. Didn't know that, although I knew that I have a fascinating history and were a big trade centre in mediaval times. Great project!

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ceska, Italy

when we say "going to Timbuktu" we mean going to a far away an exhotic place

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fisherman, Ireland

I didn't know that salaries are so low in Mali and that people are making as little as $80–$90/month - I think that this is a great project and deserves our support

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karredinges, Netherlands

Did you know that each year there is a 3 day festival nearby timbuktu called Essakane Desert Festival. With art, music, dance, but also camel racing and sword fighting.

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SwimJAK, United States of America

As a librarian, I knew that the history of libraries and manuscripts reaches far back into Timbuktu's past.
Timbuktu's main library, officially called the Ahmed Baba Institute of Higher Islamic Studies and Research, is a treasure house containing more than 20,000 manuscripts covering centuries of Mali's history.

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Glow_Radiance, United States of America

I learned that (as other Postcrossers also mentioned) the Ahmed Baba Institute, a center that houses and preserves a large collection of historical Arabic and African manuscripts, is located in Timbuktu. Sadly, the article reported that it is often closed due to lack of funds.

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Urmel0507, Germany

Es macht mich traurig, dass diese wunderbare Stadt jetzt so verarmt ist!

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Sterngesang, Germany

This is a really great project and I really would love to receive a postcard from Timbuktu!
I've heard about Timbuktu (or Tombouctou in French) since I was a child as my grand-parents were in Africa for more than 30 years. I always was (and still am) fascinated by the Camel Parade at the "Festival au Désert". Even more fascinating are the "blue people". The Tuaregs have been called so for the indigo-dye coloured clothes they traditionally wear and which stains their skin.

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lujanruizm, Spain

Fantastic project, for sure!!
This type of initiative is very simple for any of us but very important for anyone who has suffered as much as them. Sadly I met Timbuktu on the TV news for the war.

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catmom1983, Austria

Awesome idea! A fact, I won't forget: the libraries and the manuscripts! I hope to receive a postcard from Timbuktu because it makes me so happy to get such a special thing, someone far away made just for me <3

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Flippie, Canada

Hi, I love to read about Timbuktu. I the past I had a pen-pal, his name was Bonko, I adopted him through a system (back in the Netherlands, I live now in Canada) and we wrote letters to each other for 5 years.
I learned that Timbuktu has 6 Twin-towns; Sister cities;
* Chemnitz- Germany
*Hay-on -Wye- Wales, United Kingdom
*Kairuan- Tunisia
*Marrakech- Morocco
*Saintes- France
*Tempe- Arizona in the USA
Cheers, Anneke/Flippie

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rtk_magic, Germany

Great Project! I've read that Timbuktu has been a center of trans-Saharan trade for centuries.

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thibcabe, Switzerland

Great idea ! :-) In Timbuktu, there was the largest university of the world (25000 students), built in the 14th century (and also one of the first ever built) ! :D

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Briarcliff, United States of America

Here's a quote that I just found:
Timbuktu was also a religious city. According to a West African proverb: 'Salt comes from the north, gold from the south and silver from the country of the white men, but the word of God and the treasures of wisdom are only to be found in Timbuktu.' There is a local legend that the city is guarded by 333 renowned saints as well as numerous lesser ones, and surrounding Timbuktu like a rampart are the chapels where the saints are buried.

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beeHaven, United States of America

Loved learning about the name of Timbuktu. 4 different thoughts on what the name means. I bet the locals could tell some fascinating stories of what they think about the name, I always thought it just a name of a place very far away. It is a LONG way from me in Oklahoma but it is cool to find out more about its history. I will continue to refer to it as a place on the other side of the world. 5780 miles is a long way!!

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ALaurenLB, United States of America

Postcards are a great way to help connect people and even help the very poor of others nations, like Timbuktu, to gain an income. Postcards are a great invention, and I do hope the people of Africa send more postcards out if they can. It is a wonderful continent to learn about and see on postcards.

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ratztamara, Hungary

I've just read about this project today on FB. I immediately sent a card to a friend for his birthday, then I logged in here and found this article :)
I've learnt e.g. that Timbuktu’s Djinguereber mosque was built almost entirely from banco mud.

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bookends, United States of America

Loved learning about postcards from Timbuktu and learning about Timbuktu itself. Abdel Kader Haidara, a librarian, organized to have 350,000 medieval manuscripts smuggled out of Timbuktu for safekeeping.

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AndiP, United States of America

Interesting. The demise of this city was largely due to “...a decline in trade caused by increased competition from newly available trans-Atlantic sailing routes (which) caused the city to decline.”
“Progress”. The two-sided sword. This could be compared to what WalMart has done to small towns in The US.

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Selina0629, Taiwan

So awesome to know more about Mali and its historical destination Timbuktu. Learning that Mali has been in difficult situations really makes my heart sink. Fortunately, postcards become a trend and help their unemployed tourist guides make a living. Support!

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justicepirate, United States of America

I just did some research on the famous playwright Massa Makan Diabaté who came from Timbuktu!!

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plaraye, United States of America

Wow, I didn’t know this was a real place. It is an important trade center for things like salt, sugar and beads. I’d love to get a card from there! Thanks Postcrossing for challenging us to learn something new!

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Natyuy, Uruguay

Interesting project!!!, another way of knowing different realities!

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MerryMeg, United States of America

Tempe, Arizona is the twin city of Timbuktu! Who knew!

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manu86, Germany

Great idea.

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merryrose22, Canada

Sankore University in Timbuktu houses many ancient manuscripts.

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j3, United States of America

Wow,
azalai
an annual salt caravan between Timbuktu and Taoudenni,
Wouldn't that make a marvelous adventure!?
I would love to know more about how tbe salt is produced.

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kali1984, United States of America

Vert interesting! Didn't know that it was located in Mali

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dogfan, United States of America

I did not know about the war and poverty in Timbuktu. Thanks for sharing this story.

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Kanmj, Taiwan

This is my first time to hear about Timbuktu. It's amazing to know that Timbuktu is an UNESCO World Heritage Site!!

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nothlitHAWK, United States of America

I didn't know about the Floating Rice before.My dad is a rice farmer in California, but this is completely different!

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pamiis23, United States of America

For some people, when you say 'Timbuktu' it is like the end of the world, but that is not true. I am from Timbuktu, and I can tell you that we are right at the heart of the world."
beautiful!
so happy to help with this project.

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sacdalton, United States of America

Thank you for sharing this story. I will be happy to support the project and earn much needed income for these young people.

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MissSassiFras, United States of America

This is a great project to help the unemployed find a new means of income. I learned that Tempe, AZ is a sister city to Timbuktu.

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uppol3, Poland

By dint of discovering fascinating history of Timbuktu I can recommend reading the groundbreaking case of "The Prosecutor v. Ahmad Al Faqi Al Mahdi” (https://www.icc-cpi.int/CourtRecords/CR2016_07244.PDF).

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swan, United States of America

The harvesting of the rice that's cultivated depends a lot on the floods. Most of it is eaten by the families who cultivate and harvest it.

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Jer_B, Malaysia

It's amazing that in the early 14th century AD, the Sankoré mosque, also known as the University of Sankoré, was one of the first universities ever built in the world! Together with three other madrasas("madrasa" is the Arabic word for any type of educational institution), it facilitated 25,000 students, making it also the largest university in the world at the time!

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surfclub66, United States of America

The most fascinating part of what I read is just how little archeologically is known about the original inhabitants, as studying the city itself is daunting because of the sand, climate and current political situation. I am obsessed with ancient history and I salivate thinking of all that is buried beneath and what could be learned from it.

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marna23, Russia

Lost in the sands of the Sahara, the city of Timbuktu is known all over the world as one of the largest cultural and historical centers of Africa. It is called "the city of three hundred and thirty-three saints", "the pearl of the medieval Mali", "queen of the desert". The medieval Arab geographer Ibn Khaldun referred to Timbuktu as a "harbor in the desert", European merchants - "the city of gold"...Very interesting place!

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Aquajewel, Singapore

Timbuktu is an ancient city in Mali and sits near the Niger River on the edge of the Sahara Desert. Timbuktu was also an important center for trade. Caravans of tradesmen traveling by camel stopped in Timbuktu to get water and food as they traveled. During World War II Timbuktu was used to house prisoners of war. Today, Timbuktu is an UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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lauriestrand, United States of America

I learned so much about this mysterious and fascinating city. I did not even know where it was in Africa but now I know it is part of Mali and a victim of desertification which has affected its economy drastically. I loved reading about its Golden Age of trade and scholarship and the contributions it made to the world of religion and education. Thank you for sharing this topic.

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pstcdlove, United States of America

Even the background of the name TIMBUKTU is fascinating... according to the Encyclopedia Britannica online:
"According to one tradition, Timbuktu was named for an old woman left to oversee the camp while the Tuareg roamed the Sahara. Her name (variously given as Tomboutou, Timbuktu, or Buctoo) meant “mother with a large navel,” possibly describing an umbilical hernia or other such physical malady."

It was intriguing to read more information about a legendary place like this. THANK YOU Postcrossing for always sharing such interesting postcard connections.

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nmphoto06, United States of America

Timbuktu is a hot desert climate like where I live. Arizona’s hottest months are June, July and August while their months are April, May and June. I can so relate to their 104 temperatures. Today’s high was 102!

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Kanerva, Finland

Sidi Yahya mosque has a sacred door leading to the tomb of saints. It was believed that opening the door would bring misfortune or even end of the world. Ansar Dine group destroyed the door in 2012, but it was restored in 2016. Hopefully Timbuktu will see better days once again.

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167marina, Russia

Wonderful!!! It would be great to get a postcard from such a wonderful country!!!! I envy the lucky ones who get the cards!!!

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Mrbill, United States of America

Thank you for a very interesting article on the far away nation of Mali. I have known of this country for many years since I have been a stamp collector for over 60 years now. It would be a joy to receive a postcard from Timbuktu and, in a real way, to connect with this isolated yet beautiful place in Africa. Best wishes always, "MrBill" in the USA state of Virginia.

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Bowyum, Australia

In my school days, when we would sing hymns at morning assembly it was not unknown for the following verse to be substituted when singing "Praise the Lord ye heavens adore him"

If I were a Cassowary
On the plains of Timbuktu
I would eat a missionary
Coat and bands and hymn-book too.

I doubt if we could have pointed to it on a map though! Or known that cassowaries do not inhabit the area :)

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Aunghtun, Thailand

Words came to my mind on hearing the name Timbuktu or Tombouktou include: desert, Niger river, Mali, Ghana Empire, Madrasahs and trade of gold and ivory.

Thank you for letting us know the project and the nice lottery :)

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Yuliia_U, Ukraine

I just learned that even during the coldest month in a year (December, January and February) the average temperature in Timbuktu doesn't drop lower than 30 C!
It would be priceless to receive one day a postcard from this place!

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coolshiv, India

Great Initiative. I understood that Timbuktu is situated in the country of Mali, north of the Niger river in Africa. It was once a centre of learning (Islamic learning between 13th and 17th century)

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Winterblume, Germany

The book "Ich war in Timbuktu" by Werner Legère about René Caillie was one of my favourite books in my girlhood, A postcard from this magic city is a memory of dreams I had in this time ...

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Steffelchen, Germany

I have learned that postage in Mali is very expensive. I would love to receive one of the postcards.

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Asrach, Indonesia

Timbuktu, also spelled Tombouctou, région, northern Mali, West Africa, bordering Mauritania on the northwest, Algeria on the northeast, and the régions of Gao on the east and Mopti and Ségou on the south. Timbuktu région was created in 1977 from the western part of Gao région. It is entirely within the Sahara (desert) except for the extreme southern area along the Niger River. It consists of relatively flat sandy or stony plains with elevations of about 1,000 feet (300 metres). Salt is mined in the north at Taoudenni and is transported by camel caravan south to the town of Timbuktu, the région capital. The principal irrigated crops grown in the Niger River valley are corn (maize) and rice. Population groups in the région include the nomadic Tuaregs and Moors in the Sahara and Songhai and Fulani peoples in the irrigated valley.

Thank You

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anagahan, North Macedonia

Funny how in many countries, Timbuktu is used as a reference for a a place far away, but here in Macedonia for example, we use Tungusia, which is not an ACTUAL place

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1ConT, Russia

Я знала, что в Тимбукту сейчас не лучшее время, но далеко не так, как я представляла.
Это просто замечательный проект: и он позволяет сочетать приятное с полезным, даже в какой-то мере необходимым

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KiwiJacq, New Zealand

In its Golden Age, the town's numerous Islamic scholars and extensive trading network made possible an important book trade: together with the campuses of the Sankore Madrasah, an Islamic university, this established Timbuktu as a scholarly centre in Africa.

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OtakuFrenzy, Thailand

Reading the story behind the project is amazing, and it makes me have hope for the mankind to fund such a project to help raise, even a little, living condition of the people in those places. I fully support this project!

I am quite ashamed to say that I am not that familiar with the place of Timbuktu, though I heard about it but never really understand it (if you know what I mean). This blog is really motivating and knowledgeable!

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KienMei, Malaysia

Thanks for sharing, now I just know about Timbuktu which also has World Heritage Site.

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anchcabalfin, Philippines

Learning about this project just now made me realize how postcrossing or postcard exchange can change someones life. It's good to know that we can help other people with this hobby. I hope a lot will support this project. <3

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SpringandSky, Japan

I read first about Timbuktu from Donald Duck magazine about 30years ago ... always wondering why Donald went there to run away. Wondering that Timbuktu is really exist or no.
With this project I finally know that Timbuktu is really exist. Hope that this project will goes well.

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Jolochka, Russia

I've never heard of this place before. Now I want to know more. Very interesting to get a rare postcard

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harrickson, United States of America

Thank you for featuring Timbuktu. It is an interesting site. I learned that Timbuktu,Timbuktu Cercle, Mali, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and since 2012 it is on the List of World Heritage in Danger.

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vigneshraja, India

Wow. this is awesome. Timbuktu exists ..yay!!!

I learnt that Timbuktu (does indeed exist) is an ancient city in Mali, currently having a population of ~55,000 people. On the historical front, trade flourished in Salt, Gold, Ivory & Slaves!

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erka_79, Indonesia

Timbuktu is ancient city in Mali, I hope can vist it.

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AleksandraBD, France

Timbuktu has three important mosques, Djingareyber, Sankore and Sidi Yahia, that are today under threat from desertification...
Ps. Great project! It's good to know about it. And of course, to support it and local people

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Viam, Australia

I know that Timbuktu was a centre of medieval learning, which also flowered due to trade (gold, salt and slaves). Last year I stumbled across a book about the efforts which have occurred to save its ancient manuscripts. It is well worth a read if you want to learn know more about Timbuktu and its history, current and past (Charlie English, The Book Smugglers of Timbuktu). What a great project ;-)

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Irmao-das-Almas, Brazil

YourI think the race of the Paris Dakar rally passes through this city, or very close.

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Liuliusan, China

Honestly, this is the first time I know about Timbuktu. Then Wiki told me that this place is famous for its Islamic architectural style of mosques, and Timbuktu was as well as Cairo, Baghdad and Damascus, was one of the famous Islamic academic studies.

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mary_gentili, Italy

I love this project!

I didn't know very much about Timbuktu before now, but I always heard that it was often decanted like a mythical place. Its true or alleged existence was discussed in Europe since 1805, when a scottish explorer named Mungo Park managed to reach it for the first time but never returned further back (according to a later testimony by Renè Caillié).

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morgana66, Spain

It is a pity that a city that has so many beautiful corners to see is closed to the rest of the world because of certain people who defend their ideals with violence. That's how they show they're not interested in their people. I hope that soon this situation will be just a news story that happened and that this territory will flourish again and at the same time I will be able to get to know it, even if it is through an image reflected on a postcard.

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alansxi86, Malaysia

Awesome project. Heard of Timbuktu before, being in the past a famous center for trading and education in the past. More recent news of Timbuktu (and Mali in general) are not so good, except for the one on how the local people hide and saved priceless old manuscripts and books from destruction when the city was under attack a few years ago.

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Amaya_Ithilwen, Switzerland

I am surprised to read and absolutely supporting this kind of project to help people make their daily living.
I just learned about Leo Africanus and his influence on the western view on Africa. I didn't know that most of what european people said to know for several decades was mostly coming from one man.
Thinking of it, I am not surprised that people thought of Timbuktu having gold-paved streets.

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jamieiscreg, United Kingdom

This is such a lovely project! I hope I can be part of it one way or another. I’ve spent an hour or so doing some research and it’s interesting that it’s also called the city of the 333 saints as 333 saints were laid to rest there. The more you know!

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CamJP, Australia

Rice is the main crop in Timbuktu which is weird given it seems like it's in the desert and rice needs lots of water. :) Great project!!!

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shugal, Germany

@CamJP: The Niger river near Timbuktu has seasonal floodings, much like the Nile in Egypt, hence rice can be grown there.

The one thing that I learned is the existence of this project (not participating in the sweepstake). Thanks a lot for that! I did the one sensible thing and ordered me a postcard from Postcards from Timbuktu right away. Now to wait for its arrival... :-)

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isilcoruh, Türkiye

Nice project! I have read a book named Timbuktu by Paul Auster. It was a mythical place.

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Azzi, Australia

I had heard of Timbuktu. I heard my grandparents and their generation use the phrase "from here to Timbuktu". I knew it was in Africa but that's about it. I'm surprised there are as many as 54 000 people living there.
Great idea for a project. I've ordered my postcard.

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Shadowflame, Germany

Wow, awesome! Hearing from such small ideas and things that realy can change something in this world fill my heart with joy!!!
Would love getting a card from there! 😘

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juttertje, Netherlands

Thank you for organising this give away. Who wouldn't love to receive a card from Timbuktu. I was very interested to read about the salt trade and about these wonderful guys and their postcard project!

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donovan, Singapore

Thanks for this opportunity!
Timbuktu was once the intellectual capital of the continent, and a centre of scholastic activity. In its golden age, around the 15-16th Century, Islamic intellectuals would flock to Timbuktu, viewing the area as a useful platform for them to propagate Islam throughout Africa. Today, one can imagine what it was like back then by admiring the prestigious Koranic Sankore University and the city’s impressive mosques. Ultimately, Timbuktu still holds the key to discovering Africa’s intellectual history.

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Mirfi, Australia

The wealth and very existence of Timbuktu depended on its position as the southern terminus of an important trans-Saharan trade route. Taoudenni is a remote salt mining center in the desert region of northern Mali, 664 km (413 mi) north of Timbuktu. The salt is dug by hand from the bed of an ancient salt lake, cut into slabs, and transported either by truck or by camel to Timbuktu. The camel caravans (azalai) from Taoudenni are some of the last that still operate in the Sahara Desert.
I found these facts about salt being transported by camels really interesting. And that a place could be wealthy from salt mining.
Would be wonderful to receive a postcard from Timbuktu.

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dershots, Canada

What an amazing project. I learned that Timbuktu is located on the southern edge of the Sahara Desert, 15 km north of the main channel of the River Niger. Only thru Postcrossing would I have known about this, keep up the great work Postcrossing!

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Jolantos, Lithuania

Wonderful project. Good luck!
I know Timbuktu was a world centre of Islamic learning from the 13th to the 17th century.

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Astrid161195, Netherlands

Great project! The fact I learned is that the name Timbuktu means "She with the big navel". Really cool haha

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giorgina80, Italy

I love this project ❤

I learned that Timbuktu is located on the southern edge of the Sahara 15 km (9 mi) north of the main channel of the River Niger. The town is surrounded by sand dunes and the streets are covered in sad .

Good luck Timbuktu embrace from Italy:)

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Hawwa, Spain

I knew this project, but had ne v er ordered a postcard. Maybe for a friend's birthday... that would be a great surprise!

I know isn't the best film in the world, but Timbuktu always makes me think of "París Tombuctú"!

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agung, Indonesia

I hope can get postcard from Timbuktu, the place that I know from Tintin comic. The reality is there are many world heritage sites there.

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BrestDasha, Lithuania

I haven't really heard about Timbuktu before, but now I know some absolutely awesome facts connected with the city. One of them is that ancient manuscripts dated back to the XII c. in Math, Biology, Music, Piety, Astronomy, Law and History are some kind of the Timbuktu's pride and are thoroughly stored by local families. Some of them are kept in Europe, some are in private libraries in Timbuktu (BTW, the quantity of libraries in the city is unimaginably - about a hundred!). On my mind the fact is gorgeous and some more research must be done to find all the MSS written in Timbuktu.

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Nana_Sue, Germany

We have the saying "Go to Timbuktu". That was also very difficult to achieve in the past ...

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luvwhidbeyisland, United States of America

I learned that the salt trade is still part of th economy in Timbuktu. I am glad the postcard project allows these young men to earn a living. Sounds like tough times there 😟.

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snailmailpostcards, Australia

I knew that Timbuktu was a real place, but didn't know which country it was in.

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ellsja, United States of America

I would love to receive a card from Timbuktu. I have learned a little bit about how Mali is being affected by desertification.

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UgandaCranes, Germany

Once I went by car from from N'Djamena in Chad to Bamako and Timbuktu

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Rehus, Germany

I read the book "I was in Timbuktu" from Werner Legere. It is the try of René Caillie to find this place . Today it is not so difficult, but nearly 200 years before it was hard and only one or two people came back from this adventure. I would like to get a card from there. I know that it was the most important town 250 years before. But later it was more difficult, it was to hot and the Niger was some kilometres far...

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xanafg, Portugal

Fact- located on the edge of the Sahara Desert, this has an estimated population of 32,000.

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PetraQ, Czech Republic

I've learnt that it used to be on the cross of several trans-Saharan caravana routes.

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Gothonor, United States of America

I learned that Timbuktu's main language is Koyra Chiini, which only 200,000 of the world's population spoke in 1999.

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geh, United States of America

I didn't realize that Timbuktu was right along the Sahara desert and had a desert climate. How interesting to learn about this unique place!

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Julia_IV, Russia

The "Festival in the Desert" was an annual concert in Mali, showcasing traditional Tuareg music. From 2010 to 2012 it was held on the outskirts of Timbuktu. The Festival has continued to be postponed due to security concerns in the region.

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Cliclac, Germany

I´ve learnd, that timbuktu isn´t the end of the world! I like that project much!! :)

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reimira, Åland Islands

I learned that Timbuktu has ca. 60 libraries that are owned by local families and institutions.

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XunYi_Livia, Taiwan

I've never been to Africa,only getting information on internet such as "World Heritage".
I love this project! I would love to get postcard from Timbuktu.

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Izzy2018, United States of America

Super neat idea to help provide local income! I know that scribes and scholars have been able to hide rare manuscripts in the desert to keep them safe

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gardenfaerie, United States of America

A friend was born in Kalamazoo (yes, that exists too!) and since he was a kid wanted to go "from Kalamazoo to Timbuktu!" And after he retired a few years ago, he did! Doubt he sent himself a postcard, though, so I will buy one for him! Also, I had no idea Tempe, Arizona is one of Timbuktu's sister cities. :)

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mountzzz, United States of America

Very interesting history. Watched a documentary on their lost libraries. It was an ancient learning center and there were many ancient documents, going back 8 centuries, hidden over the years for protection. With independence, the families who had hidden the manuscripts have brought them from hiding and many libraries have been established housing them.

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arielle26, France

Bonjour cher personne de tombouctou . Mon papa ma achetais y a des années en arrière la croix d'agadez que je porte assez souvent .
Sans savoir que cela venez du mali alors on nous a raconter des tas de choses sur cette magnifique croix . On nous a dit que c etait la croix des kabyles puis des touaregs et puis on a su quelle voulais parler de courage et d amour . Est ce cela ?
La croix serais faite a la mains avec des pierre de rocailles ainsi que de l argent brut et fais dans le desert .
Je trouve que cous etes des personnes admirable par votre courage votre force physique a la chaleurs que nous arrivons pas a supportée .
Mon reve serais de venir visité tombouctou qui a fzis ma curiosité depuis l enfance . A bientôt

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thebee_debbie, Belize

Wow so sad how war can drastically change the life of people. Most have been a magical place indeed.

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Hectorious, Guernsey

Great initiative Postcrossing. I have learned that Timbuktu was a regional trade centre in medieval times, where caravans met to exchange salt from the Sahara Desert for Gold, Ivory and Slaves. Pretty hard times

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Adam-1, Israel

I learned that Koyra Chiini is the dominant language spoken in Timbuktu.

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PhillipsFamily, United States of America

Wonderful story of amazing people doing what they can in an extremely difficult situation. When we clicked on the link to learn about Timbuktu, we were drawn to the story about Abdel Kader Haidara, a librarian in Timbuktu who worked to smuggle 350,000 medieval manuscripts out of Timbuktu for safekeeping. Just another example confirming that librarians are the best people.

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Blajb, United States of America

I learned that Timbuktu is located at the southern egse of the Sahara.

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QAYBERT, Malaysia

Postcrossing is a great idea how the little postcard can enhance the domestic economy. Timbuktu is one of the example on how postcrosing are connecting the world by crossing the borders and having a little perspective on how others are living.

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dollart, Finland

On year i was born, In the 1980s, accommodation for the small number of tourists was provided by two small hotels: Hotel Bouctou and Hotel Azalaï.[36] Over the following decades the tourist numbers increased so that by 2006 there were seven small hotels and guest house.
It is actually sad fact to read that there cleary is not active turism as amonth hotels havent grown so much. Funny thing is that i thought Timpuktu is located in India 😊

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zomertje, Netherlands

Didn't know it was at the Niger !! Marvellous story

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Halina, Germany

I learnt that a Timbukto exists! I always thought it was actually a joke. I would love to send a postcard to a Timbukto and receive one as well 💕💕💕

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isinesunshine, Germany

I wouldn't have imagined that 2 hotels were enough to accommodate all tourists - even back in the 80s!

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SneekMvM, Netherlands

n Donald Duck Timboektoe (Timukto) is a hide a way when the citizien of Duckstad are mad on Donald Duck. In the last picture of the story you will see Timbukto (Timboektoe in Dutch)

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EbonyKatrin, Germany

Oh wow, I`m fascinated;o)
I went to the link and learned that Timbuktu has hot desert climate...so this is the fact I learned and wanna point out because(please don`t laugh at me) as a child when hearing someone mention the Timbuktu-sayings, I always somehow imagined it to be a very cold icy spot on this earth;o)!!!
I`d be thrilled to find a card from that special place in my mailbox:o)!

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HM, Netherlands

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Festival_au_D%C3%A9sert

Music of the Sahara is populair among lovers of the so called WorldMusic, I am one of them.

My favourite song of the moment is by Tamikrest <Aicha> https://duckduckgo.com/?q=tamikrest+aicha&t=h_&ia=videos&iax=videos&iai=uR2aivOjeQ8

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Tjoks, South Africa

Such an interesting project! I learnt more about Timbuktu through my children's school work, all about the great Mansa Musa and his travels. How he travelled to Mecca and back and his influence in the growth of the Mali Empire. It is sad to think what a big centre of learning Timbuktu was, and how it is today.

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clyo4, Spain

I had no idea part of the landmarks of Timbuktu were Unesco World Heritage, NOW IN DANGER! It is true that wealth is not even in different parts pf the world, and it is a shame

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betslets, United States of America

I lived near Tempe, AZ years ago (which I learned was one of Timbuktu's "sister cities") and remember how a dry river bed near Tempe would flood during the monsoon season there, much as flooding occurs in the Timbuktu region during the annual flood of the Niger. I was also surprised to learn about Timbuktu's inclusion in the List of World Heritage in Danger. I probably would never have learned anything more interesting today if it weren't for the Postcrossing Blog.

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Gurudath21, India

Great work by the tourist guides of Timbuktu to keep the post crossing in these remote places so we come to know these places exit and the condition of the people leaving there,great

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londoncat, United Kingdom

What an amazing project!
There is a very famous mosque in Timbuktu - I think it is featured in Michael Palin's Sahara TV programme, which I watched years ago.

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Natalia_13, Russia

I learned from an article about the city with a very sad fate ...
It was once a city well known for selling salt, slaves, and gold.
So I like this project!

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glitterelephant, United States of America

I learned that in medieval times caravans would meet there to trade salt for gold and ivory.

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Nataly-Sl, Russia

Wonderful project! A new page in the geography of Postcrossing! But how informative participants' comments! Very valuable information turned out as the result of discussion. Good luck to all participants! I will tell about this project people as much as I can.

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Merle13, Germany

I already know some people who deserve a special postcard from Timbuktu! :)

What I just learned about Timbuktu is that right now it's rainy season there. There's no rain from Oktober to May. In June, there's a chance of rain, but only little, and in August there are 6 days of rain on the whole, but it's only 64mm in the whole month. In comparison: While Timbuktu has only 18 days of rain in the year, Bremen (Germany) has 126!

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_BrEkAs_, Portugal

Thank you so much for sharing this story!
So sad to hear about the recent history of the city...

I had no idea that a language called Koyra Chiini even existed, but apparently it is the language spoken in Timbuktu!

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radisrose, Belgium

Great project! I fondly remember the 2014 film Timbuktu, it had such an impact on me.

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MrsDash, Canada

First of all, I learned that T is in Mali! I didn't know that, and my husband and I sponsor a child who lives in Mali. And on the map, the spelling used is Tombouctou!

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CelesteP, South Africa

I've learned that the city is now essentially the home to the Kel Tamasheq, Songhay and Arabs. These are the main ethnic groups who are the original settlers of Timbuktu.

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Frollein_Erika, Switzerland

In english dictionaries Timbuktu is described not only as a town in Mali but also as any faraway place!
According to Wikipedia, in the imagination of Europeans and North Americans, Timbuktu is a place that bears with it a sense of mystery: a 2006 survey of 150 young Britons found 34% did not believe the town existed, while the other 66% considered it "a mythical place.

The project is just great, and I hope that many many postcards will travel from Timbuktu around the world!

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DHoelscher, United States of America

Timbuktu’s golden age was the 13 - 14th centuries. Science, arts and religion were taught.

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brelliman, Germany

I know the musician Ali Farka Touré since lots of years and I like his music. I knew he is from Mali, but today I learned that he is from Timbuktu.
And I know the city of Timbuktu since I was a child, but it was always only like a synonym for "very far away". Now I know where this city is located - thank you for this :-)

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lisaclown, United States of America

Timbuktu is the City of 333 Saints.... Added to the World Heritage List in 1988! https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/world-heritage/timbuktu/

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anniewilsonpaquin, Canada

I learned that in Mali, near Timbuktu, was born one of the earliest universities in the world !

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Topas, Germany

I learned Timbuktu is in Mali, but not it's capital.
Timbuktu has got five sister towns.

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ColorfulCourtney, Germany

Unfortunately, I googled "cats in Timbuktu" to find out a fact, perhaps, about local cats that I could add here. I did find something out that made me really sad (and that I will not repeat here!). It makes me hope this project will help sad little boys find interest in something worthwhile like sending postcards!

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Akatsukie, Belarus

The war is terrible. I hope that in the near future in Timbuktu tranquility and peace will reign.

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lori8765, United States of America

This is an amazing project to help people learn more about the area and helping the local community as well. It's sad to hear about the declining tourism. I also read about Festival au Désert--a festival with music that moved to the outskirts of Timbuktu and had to end in 2012 due to security issues. I do hope that one day they are able to hold the festival again as music truly is something that is universal and breaks all language barriers. A simple song can bring happiness or bring people together.

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honeybee, Austria

I know that the Sankoré Mosque is an UNESCO World Heritage Site. When I was a child I thought Timbuktu would be a place in a fairy tale. I think this project is great.

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EmiliaP, United States of America

Last week my daughter was reading a Dr Seuss book that she just got and came asking about Timbuktu and Constantinople. I told her that Constantinople was where Istanbul is now but Timbuktu could be a made up place by the author because Dr Seuss has lots of made up things on his books. I was reading "Life of Pi" two days later and Timbuktu was mentioned in that book too. I didn't look it up but marked the page to show her, which I haven't done yet. Today, one week later, there is Timbuktu in postcrossing. In 10 days I have heard of something that I didn't know existed 3 times.

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Borst, Netherlands

My fact about Timbuktu is that French is Mali's official language, today the large majority of Timbuktu's inhabitants speaks Koyra Chiini, a Songhay language that also functions as the lingua franca. I really didn't know that French is the official language. An interesting fact.
I just started post crossing so how great would if be to receive one of my first cards from Timbuktu. I can't imagine a more special place to get a card from. In the article they already wrote it's very rare to get a card from over there.

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dasg, United States of America

Very sad to read that Mali/Timbuktu is back on the World Heritage Danger list because Ansar Dine group has destroyed historical sites and vows to destroy more - 13 in all. Heartbreaking that so much history that has stood for centuries can be lost so quickly by such a small group of people.

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nediam_nori, Finland

Awesome :) thanks for sharing!
I spent a while learning about Timbuktu, and found lots of interesting info! For example, Timbuktu has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1988!

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Mikke_172, Ukraine

I knew about city only from song - that it`s a sunny place. Now I understand that the city has UNESCO heritage World Heritage Sites and the cityzens have many problems but do everything they can to save thre turist attractions. The project is a great idea to tell the World about Timbuktu. I believe that all problems of the city will be solved and more turist all over the World will visit Timbuktu.

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vikilein, Hungary

A fact about Timbuktu: Most of Timbuktu's inhabitants speaks Koyra Chiini, a Songhay language that also functions as a lingua franca (= a regional language that connects people with different native tongues, similar to for example German in Central and Eastern Europe). Koyra Chiini is a Songhay language and belongs to the Sudanese language family. Mali's official language is French, but 40 other languages are spoken in the country.

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Dager, Belgium

The Sankoré mosque, also known as the University of Sankoré, was one of the first universities ever built in the world and for centuries, Timbuktu has been home to one of the largest collections of ancient Islamic manuscripts.

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TonyKestle, United States of America

I can not believe hot it is! May is 108f/42.2c in the day and 78.8f/26c in the night. I am assuming that they have no air conditioning units?

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di_postcards, United States of America

Thank you for sharing! It has been interesting to read about this city. Among other facts I’ve learned that Timbuktu is located on the southern edge of the Sahara desert 🐫 It would be amazing to receive a postcard from such a distant and exotic place 🤗❤️

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KJ_lillianopal, United States of America

I've learned that Timbuktu hosts thousands of manuscripts--enough to fill several libraries!

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Mrs_V, United States of America

I wasn't aware that Timbuktu was located in Mali and that the spelling of the name has changed many times. Interesting!

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JuniaJakob, Germany

Thank you for informing us about this great project. I‘ve spent the last 90 minutes or so checking facts about Timbuktu. Its history is so rich and eclectic, but I‘m sad to find out that it‘s been struggling for so long now. I knew Timbuktu was a real place and that it‘s somewhere in Africa (I feel pretty ignorant now!), but I‘m really curious and eager to learn more.
Some facts I‘d like to present:
Several historical sites in the city were declared part of the UNESCO World Heritage in 1988. The first attempt to get the whole city on the list in 1979 failed.
Sadly, the sites have been on and off the list of World Heritage in Danger ever since, which shows how hard and dangerous life in this place must be.
Another interesting fact: The first European ever to reach Timbuktu was Alexander Gordon Laing. He arrived there in 1826 after having crossed the Sahara from north to south and was strangled by Tuareg shortly after.

I hope Postcards from Timbuktu will find lots of supporters!

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Bisongirl8, United States of America

Wow! What an awesome project to start in your community and to involve so many individuals. I love it! And I would LOVE to receive a postcard from Timbuktu!

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MonkeyLyon, United States of America

Timbuktu is located on the southern edge of the Sahara desert. Love the project :)

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PiotrK, Poland

WOW!!
It's a great project!maybe it can help someone like that ..
Good luck!!

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Itzaal, Spain

Qué más se puede decir? Los compañeros han puestos cientos de datos que me ha sido muy grato conocer. Tengo poco más que aportar, pero sí existe una curiosidad que quiero compartir, Berlanga, director de cine español, hizo en 1999 una película llamada “Paris - Tombuctú “, la han visto?
Muchas gracias por darnos a conocer proyectos tan bonitos como este y poder tener la ilusión de ser uno de los agraciados con una de esas cinco postales, espero tener suerte, mil gracias.

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80sTrekkieGirl, Canada

I love the idea of this project. Would love to see it in many other struggling communities.
Today I learned that the first European to visit Timbuktu was a Scot.

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cspt, United States of America

wow, what a fascinating story. Thanks for sharing it!

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floridaoutdoorgirl, United States of America

Did you know there is a town of Timbuktu in America? It’s in the state of Michigan!

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Chaldane, United States of America

What an awesome project! I would love to receive one of their cards. I never realized that Timbuktu is an actual place, but now that I've learned that little fact, I'll be doing more research for sure.

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Inna_sakhalin, Russia

It’s a very beautiful project!

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Chirp2lou, Canada

I love this project and the fact that postcards can make such a difference - bring joy and support people. Timbuktu has had a permanent settlement since the 10th century and hopefully it regains strength.

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kidwrx1977, United States of America

Under the Songhai empire, the city became a great Muslim educational center, with more than 180 Quranic schools and universities. By the end of Mansa Musa’s reign (early 14th century A.D.), the Sankoré mosque, also known as the University of Sankoré, was one of the first universities ever built in the world. A contemporary of Oxford and the Sorbonne, the level of learning at Timbuktu’s Sankoré University was superior to that of all other Islamic centers in the world. The three madrasahs — Djinguereber, Sidi Yahya and Sankore — facilitated 25,000 students, making it also the largest university in the world at the time.

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akm, United States of America

This is a great project! As a student of history, I think it's very interesting that Timbuktu was a medieval trade center. European medieval trade centers generally continue to benefit from that historic status (through city development and economic activity). I'm interested to learn more about what exactly happened in Timbuktu's history that caused it, despite its apparent strategic location, to turn out so differently.

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WaterBearSeeker, United States of America

I didn't even know it was a real place. I would not have guessed it was in Africa.

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PurplePineapples, United States of America

I think the old buildings look really cool. It looks like it would be a fun place to explore.

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SLPascual, Philippines

Timbuktu, city of gold, ancient centre of learning..... explorers will surely enjoy the its historical rich place... hope the project will bring people close...

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Mysticvean, Ireland

It's an ancient city in Mali, situated 20 km north of the Niger River. While it is politically unstable at the moment, it used to be a major city with a golden age in the 15th and 16th centuries. Then people came to the city for scholarship of religions, arts, math and sciences for its 100,000 inhabitants and the world.

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Sibiriada, Russia

I thought Timbuktu was a fairy tale, and it was not real. I want to visit Africa

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DueSer, United States of America

What a neat idea! I've been fascinated by Timbuktu ever since I learned about it in French class in school. We discussed it for a while because it was controlled by the French for 70 years or so. It's a shame that some place that was so vital, and such a hub for trade and travellers for so long, is now struggling. I hope this project helps a little bit! I think the architecture there is so unique and beautiful. I would love to explore it some day but a postcard would sure help!:-)

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Knees, United States of America

This is an awesome project. I would like to hear more on how I can contribute. I also find it interesting the French is the official language with some others sprinkled in including Arabic. I also think it's fabulous that Timbuktu is a real place and definitely would be an interesting place to visit!

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lillydale1, Australia

Phil, Bintou and Ali, well done for showing your part of the world to us. As a child (now 67 yrs old) we used to use the expression "to go to Timbuktu and back" to denote far away. I learnt at an early age that Timbuktu was in Africa. It sounded exotic. I would love a postcard or two from you.

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ChenYuShan, Taiwan

it's a touching story.

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Jediross, Philippines

this is amazing! i learned from Postcards from Timbuktu that Timbuktu is located in northern Mali, on the edge of the Sahara Desert. I would love to receive cards from Timbuktu and i will definitely order a card from the website :)

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Mother23, United States of America

Tempe, AZ is a sister city.

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Ladcraig, United States of America

Very cool! Timbuktu has a hot, desert climate.

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Rohini, India

Like many old civilizations, Timbuktu also flourished near a river - River Niger

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angeliina, Finland

I did not know that Timbuktu is located in Mali. So hot place, not for me.... :D

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SteffiRocks, Germany

Thank you for sharing this project.
I have learned that Timbuktu was a regional trade centre in medieval times, where caravans met to exchange salt from the Sahara Desert for gold, ivory, and slaves from the Sahel, which could be reached via the nearby Niger River.

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Adilauci, Indonesia

I knew the word 'Timbuktu' for the first time since I read the novel and then I searched for information through the internet. What I see, Timbuktu has a unique building between its territory which consists of desert and looks exotic.

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roxsm, United States of America

Amazing project!
I learned so much about this intriguing city in only a day! Thank you Postcrossing ;D If only I had a time machine to see how Timbuktu functioned when it was the world centre of Islamic learning! So many interesting facts!

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kate101, Hungary

I know now that the average maximum temperatures do not drop below 30 °C (86 °F). in Timbuktu. We are getting there here in Hungary too :D

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diana_pastoriza, Spain

Thank you for bringing Timbuctoo to the fore, Postcrossing crew, it's so necessary to stop and think outside our comfort zone and see what other countries are going through.

My fact about Timbuctoo is how I first learned about this city, which was through Alfred Lord Tennyson's poem "Timbuctoo". In it, the city is described as a fantastic glowing city, a magical land.

It continues to be so and it is seen in actions such as the one recorded in this article (https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jan/18/timbuktu-begins-to-sing-again-mali-music-jihadists) from January this year - people getting together and singing through adversity and turmoil.

Hats off to them and to the humanity that still permeates our actions!

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alpski_popotnik, Slovenia

Timbuktu - glorious city with the golden past and dark present, but with limitless dreams about bright future, based on its historical meaning.

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MaaikeZwart, Denmark

I recently learned about Timbuktu's rich history through the Youtube channel Extra History. They did a series on the history of Mali. Here's the episode where they discuss Mansa Musa (said to be the richest man ever) and his influence on Timbuktu, transforming it from a small trading settlement into a leading city in the Islamic world: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-Un2xx6Pzo

Thank you so much Postcrossing for helping this lovely city :)

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tika44, France

Tumbuktu for me was only a film from Abderrahmane Sissako, now thanks to you and wikipedia i learn more about this country !
It is one of the cities of Africa the name of which is the more loaded of history,.
Thank's for this great project

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richardus, Indonesia

Timbuktu is well known with cultural event, Festival Au Desert to celbrate the peace treaty that being held in January

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LuSays, United Kingdom

I got sort of sidetracked when reading about Timbuktu and ended up reading all about its university Sankore, it was huge and considered among the best when first built - It was based around 3 mosques one of which is that strange almost pyramidal structure with the logs sticking out is on all the photos. Which was built in 989CE!! The walls are made of mud and need patching up every year. I hope it becomes safe to visit again - it would be a once in a lifetime bucket list moment!

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teamug, Germany

I had always heard about Timbuktu, but learned more about it when a friend's father stayed there for a bit (in the 1980s).
I came across music from Mali thanks to the label "Putumayo". I especially like Habib Koité. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPuiRU7b8nY)
I learnt that the German Africa-Explorer Heinrich Barth was welcomed there in 1853 as he made many friends there, also among the Tuareg. He had many talks with the Quran scholar Ahmad al-Baqqai about Christianity and Islam.
Heinrich Barth drew many maps of the Sahara and Sahel-zone, describing the traditions and cultures of the people without prejudice.
I would absolutely love to receive a card from there after I've learnt so much. But I definitely will support the project apart from the giveaway here in the blog.

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shc, Japan

I learned it's in Africa. :) and that this project send us card from rare place, and make contribution for theif economy.. win win solution! :D

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Lukastein, Germany

Only about in December and January this is a port city - very interesting.

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die-Dusche, Canada

Two things that I learned was: it's in Mali and secondly the city played a large role in being an academic centre for Islamic learning into the 17th century. Very cool stuff and thank you for sharing Phil's project!

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jokutiina, Finland

An amazing project, thank you for sharing it! :)

I got lost in the wikipedia reading all these new facts about Timbuktu and something I learnt was that Timbuktu is on the list of world heritage in danger. Makes me worried that such an ancient city is in danger of getting destroyed.

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baroncilek, Türkiye

What an amazing project really! Thank you so much! I wish Turkish lira didn’t hit record low and lost all its value against the USD so I could afford it too. I know pretty much about Mali and Timbuktu. I have always been interested in Mali and neighbouring countries. An interesting fact that the majority of Timbuktu inhabitants speaks Koyra Chiini language. I had also watched a documentary of BBC where they showed the historical mosques of Djenne and Sankore, both in Mali. Thank you!

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danielc, United Kingdom

Timbuktu is the twin city of Kairouan in Tunisia, which I visited many years ago.

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Alisa0710, Germany

I didn´t know that Timbuktu is in Mali!

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AnMiSa, Germany

When I was a child I read a book by Werner Legere about Rene Caillies journeys to find Timbuktu. Difficult conditions that time. But he discovered it in April 1828 as the first European.

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r-sol, Ukraine

Hi! This is a wonderful project! It's a great joy to receive such a postcard!
I learned about your wonderful city, before I heard only the name, but did not know anything about it.
I also found out that the Djinguereber Mosque was built in 1327, the oldest building in West Africa. It is said that this building inspired the Spanish architect Gaudi.

I wish good luck for unemployed guides, and for this wonderful city!

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ScoutMum, Netherlands

In it's golden age, Timbuktu was not only a trade centre, but also a scholarly centre with an impressive library.

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Monklady, United States of America

Years ago -- many years! -- when I was in the Peace Corps in Burkina Faso (then called Upper Volta) several of us had the experience of driving from Burkina up through the desert and into Mali, eventually arriving at Timbuktu. It makes me sad that terrorism now makes this whole region unsafe. :( -- From reading about it I learned how much I miss West Africa...the culture, the people, the food, everything. I also was reminded of details about the Sankore mosque which I had forgotten.

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HaiHong, China

What impressed me most was what Ali Farka Touré inverted : "For some people, when you say 'Timbuktu' it is like the end of the world, but that is not true. I am from Timbuktu, and I can tell you that we are right at the heart of the world." Maybe now Timbuktu's situation is not very good,but
with its rich cultue and its hard-working people ,culture self-confidence and, of course,support ,kindness and love from all over the word ,its future can become better and better.For more ,the earth is becoming better and better. As a saying goes ,"One tree doesn‘t make a forest",everyone‘effort DOES count !

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summer_melody, Russia

For me, it's quite hard to imagine a city with streets covered with sand. I've never seen such a place before, though I've travelled to different countries many times. many times

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Garv, India

Wow! What an interesting place is Timbuktu. Thank you Postcrossing for sharing it with us. Sankoré mosque of Timbuktu, also known as the University of Sankoré, was one of the first universities ever built in the world. At that time it was the largest University of the world. Isn't it amazing?

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sherikay, United States of America

Timbuktu was an education center for Africa. I find that very interesting.

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lifedance, Philippines

Timbuktu used to be a hub of Arab-African trade in the 16th century and often descibed as an ancient city of gold. But those were the days and Timbuktu is now suffering the effects of desertification, poor governance and graft.

I am glad to learn something new today and I hope to receive a postcard from Timbuktu!

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josephvm, India

In the 1970 Disney animated feature "The Aristocats", Edgar, the villain of the story, threatens the cats with being sent to Timbuktu! Thank you so much for this giveaway.

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YOIYUMTEWA, United States of America

FACT: Timbuktu was settled in the 5th century BC.

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violent_waste, Russia

Honestly, I do not know anything about Timbuktu. Unfortunately the news is divided according to geographical principle. We rarely hear news about countries that are far away from us. I like to find information about remote countries and in cities. It's always something new. And usually it hits the mind. Can not even imagine how you live in this heat? I think this is a super ability =)

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EvaBakkert, Netherlands

I have known the name Timbuktu for a long time, but in my mind it was always some far away country where Donald Duck would go to to get away from his angry neighbors when he made a mistake. I think it's very valuable to read about the real Timbuktu and its inhabitants. This postcard project is a very very good cause. I hope that one day everyone around the world including the people in Timbuktu can afford food, housing, medicine, schooling and to send postcards around the world :)

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magnoliy, Russia

Amazing idea, it would be fantastic to get a postcard from Timbuktu!

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nanda0560, Portugal

Timbuktu is an ancient city in Mali, situated 20 km north of the Niger River

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SergioSerra, Brazil

In December 1988, the World Heritage Committee (WHC) selected parts of Timbuktu's historic centre for inscription on its World Heritage list! And I even didn't know where in the world it was... Thanks guys.

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IvanT, Hong Kong

Timbuktu used to be a very wealthy city... It wsa not until trans-Atlantic sailing routes started to develop that the city began to decline.

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JeanJ, United States of America

In its early days, salt, gold, and books were the main commodities traded in Timbuktu.

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Sarian, Finland

I knew that Timbuktu exist but I didn´t know that it´s in Mali.

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Heartful, Germany

What a coincidence I found it today in a stock magazine (börse-online) of a friend: an article about the richest man ever, not Bill Gates or Rockefeller , but : Mansa Musa.
He was King of Mali during the 14th century and went on a journey to mekka with 15 tons of gold, packed on 100 camels. The gold had been found in Mali´s own gold mines. The article says that he just gave it away on his trip and had to lend gold on his way back to buy all goods they needed...
Mansa Musa´s fortune was equivalent to 400 billion dollar (400 Milliarden Dollar) When Musa died in 1337, Mali was the second biggest empire on earth.

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pucky, Netherlands

Wow, what a knowledge about Timbuktu! To much to read actually. I saw a very special movie that is called "Bamako". It is about Africans that start a open-air-trial in this city against the worldbank and IMF, mixed wich all day happenings around. A movie that goes right into the heart.

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arkita, India

timbaktu in telugu one of the languages in india means - “Sarihaddu Rekha” or the last horizon where the Earth meets the sky.

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Bookhuntress, United States of America

During Timbuktu's golden age its books and manuscripts were a most valuable commodity, with scholars visiting from the rest of the Islamic world to study them. Timbuktu housed more than 700,000 manuscripts, forming a priceless written record of African history.
Best wishes to the postcard business; I hope it makes a difference for a number of people.

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AllisonWDW, United States of America

Being a Medieval city, Timbuktu was a hub for trade; gold, ivory and slaves for salt from the Sahara region.
I have a dream to travel to Africa and would love to see the results of this project flourish and provide help for much needed Timbuktu residents.

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chit_0888, Philippines

it is Considered by many to be a mythical place with gold paved roads at the end of the world, once become a famous place for tradeand commerce .... amazing place and amazing project for postcard
PEACE!!!

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DrPrezzo, India

One of the rarest country card to receive.. Fingers crossed..
Eagerly waiting..

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harpreet, India

It can turn a flourished city into a mythical one, can dug a city's desertian grave. Wow corruption can do wonders.
It's really sad that such a beautiful city is now turning into a desert day by day, all thanks to its corruption.

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PlasticOno, Canada

Timbuktu was the cultural centre of the Mali Empire!

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Daisy67, Bulgaria

I am from Bulgaria and there is a book, called " The island of Tambuktu" edited here. The second letter of the name is "A" and it was changed intentionally by the author. It is a story , written by Marko Marchevski and was my favourite school novel - about a fictional island during the second world war and the main hero - Anton ( like Robinson Crusoe) living with the natives on the island. As a child I was afraid from the tribal priest Arriki and his diary with white sheets. At the end of the novel all the readers discovered that it was the ship diary of Ferdinand Magellan and the priest used the diary for predicting the future and telling the people if their deeds are right or wrong.

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carameljuniper, Brazil

I didn't have an idea that their temperatures in Timbuktu can reaches 49ºC!

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Kim90, Netherlands

This is a great initiative to help people from Timbuktu and I wish Ali, Bintou and Phil good luck with their project. I think Timbuktu has a very interesting history. It was founded in the 5th century and became an important place, because it's located on a crossroads for trade. The caravans that visited the city brought the first scholars and that's how it became an important centre for Islamic culture with the University of Sankore and many madrassas.

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RaeKaren, United States of America

Wonderful project! As a kid I heard the expression "as far away at Timbuktu!" Didn't realize it was an actual place, an ancient city in Mali.

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cathysmith, United States of America

I learned that there are over 500 people wanting to get a post card from Timbuktu! It always seemed so exotic to me. I learned a lot from the comments, too! Cathy

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Noux, Finland

I didn't know there is rebels in that area nowadays...

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LMTT, New Zealand

The main agricultural crop is rice and the success of the crop is partly dependent on floods. Absolutely fascinating to read about this town whose name I first heard in a Disney movie. So rich in history!!

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leia_guimaraes, Brazil

Fascinating project!
I already knew of the real existence of Timbuktu (Tombuctu, in Portuguese). I also know that it is in this city that the famous Ahmed Baba Institute stands, with its collection of 20,000 ancient Arabic manuscripts, which depict more than one millennium of Islamic scientific knowledge.

Ps: I know a Brazilian girl named Mali (name given by her mother in honor of this African country).

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giriwonho, United States of America

I learned that Timbuktu is actually very close to the Sahara desert

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jean_carvalho, Brazil

Amazing!
As a historian I affirm how important this is to preserve the history of this mythical place!
I know that this city is a world heritage site and that UNESCO has started a program to conserve and protect the city. It was inhabited by Muslims, Christians and Jews for hundreds of years, and has always been a center of religious and racial tolerance. The local cultures - songai, Tuareg and Arabic - mingled, but retained their distinct traditions.

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InTheDoghouse, United States of America

I learned that hundreds of thousands of manuscripts were collected by citizens of Timbuktu over several centuries, then hidden in cellars, in walls, or buried. They survived, and a few years ago a librarian managed to have 350,000 medieval manuscripts smuggled out of Timbuktu for safekeeping so they wouldn't be destroyed by rebel forces. This is a society that values learning and scholarship.

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awkwardnative, United States of America

I learned that Timbuktu was a regional trade centre in medieval times which is really cool.

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littleadventures, United States of America

What a fantastic idea! I learned that French is Mali's official language but today the large majority of Timbuktu's inhabitants speaks Koyra Chiini.

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Botond, Hungary

Timbuktu was a center of Islamic scholarship, home to a 25,000-student university from the 13th to 16th centuries. Sacred Muslim texts were carried great distances to Timbuktu for the use of eminent scholars. The teachings of Islam, from astronomy and mathematics to medicine and law, were collected and produced here in several hundred thousand manuscripts.
Quite an impressing history for a faraway city!

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Lumehelves, Serbia

Timbuktu is not far from the river Niger. Great project, congrats!

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Muneca, Germany

After researching about sister cities because I visited the anniversary in Düsseldorf some weeks ago, I came across that Timbuktu indeed is also a sister city with Chemnitz (another German city)

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estpost, Estonia

Thank you for this project!
I've learned that Timbuktu is listed in UNESCO's World Heritage list since 1988 and List of World Heritage in Danger in 2012. It is very sad to read that muslim fundamentalists have destroyed several shrines in the city.

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KristinaGisela, United States of America

I am glad PostCrossing is supporting and publicizing this project!
I hope as many PostCrossers as possible participate on their own as well. 💚
Interesting fact about Timbuktu:
For several years, 2010-2012, it was the site of the annual Festival au Désert ("Festival in the Desert"), an international music festival that was held annually from 2001-2012 that highlighted traditional Tuareg music and hosted musicians from other countries, too. 🇲🇱

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postmama, United States of America

I did not know that Timbukto has been around since the 10th century!!

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kimpri, United States of America

They average 25 rainy days a year

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elive, Indonesia

Timbuktu during WWII was used as a house of prisoners

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ASawvel, United States of America

Timbuktu is surrounded by sand dunes and the streets are covered in sand. What a strange place to live (or so it seems to me).

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katmandu, United States of America

I was one of the people that did not believe that Timbuktu existed, until my best friend's dad went there in the 1970's for business and sent her a postcard! He worked for a company that was exploring for oil and that's what took him to that part of the world.

As for what I learned today... I had no idea that an area so "poor" had such a rich library & manuscript heritage! Leave it to individuals to make sure the simplest things in life are safeguarded!

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oOlga, Russia

It's amazing, but many years ago we had a popular song with such words in our country:
«In the distant Bay of Timbuktu
There is a house Sarah Baraboo...» That was my the first familiarity with this country! Now I will learn more!!!!

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riverdexterus, Philippines

Old Filipinos would say ..."sa Timbuktu" (meaning: "...from Timbuktu.") whenever asked where something came from and wouldn't say where, really. Young Filipinos thought it's an old saying or a legendary place in Filipino mythology.

In the age of the Internet, imagine how many young Filipinos had a surprise of their lives that Timbuktu is actually in Africa.

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bungaalangalang, Indonesia

I've heard about Timbuktu and it called the edge of the world. I just learned that Timbuktu has an important history and has some historical sites.

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BoHana, Serbia

'English dictionaries now cite Timbuktu as a metaphor for any faraway place'.

The name 'Timbuktu' sounds magical. I also, been surprised with heritage of library's.

Its interesting to me to learn something new.

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mywrites2you, United States of America

The main language spoken there is Koyra Chiini. I never really knew anything about the place except for its name “Timbuktu” (meaning somewhere far away).

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Misiasio21, Canada

I heard about this website before that you can order a postcard from Timbuktu and support unemployed tourist guide, but I was not sure how legitimate it was. Now, after reading that Postcrossing supports it as well, I feel confident to order the postcard from them.

I knew that Timbuktu is in Mali, I knew it is in Southern Sahara, but had no idea that it is UNESCO site. This is what I learned by reading today. Thank you.

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Lea13, Russia

it's a very healthy idea-to support postcrossing around the world! Timbuktu has a great history, and such an opportunity is to remind about such an interesting place, read it's story!

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davfv17, Italy

A nice initiative! I knew that Timbuktu was in Mali, but I didn't know that it was a great learning center in the 13-17th centuries, as well as its existence was considered a mite until the beginning of '800.

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Cri_ciprea, Italy

HI! I know the name Timbuctu, here it was used to speak of a faraway place in the world!

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teijaelina, Finland

One fact that I learned about Timbuktu is that it is located near Niger river that is Africa's third longest river

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Paauuu5, Belarus

I learned that Timbuktu is a very beautiful and ancient city

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happyisa, Germany

I've learned about Timbuktu that people are very poor and we can help them only with postcards! I want to learn more! Thank you for the share!

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postcardkaren, Philippines

In a survey, 66% of respondents thought Timbuktu was a “mythical” place and is even considered as Africa’s El dorado.

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kraghavendrabhat, India

Wonderful initiative.

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Lilas_de_mer, France

Like many postcrossers before me, I only know Tombouctou as the saying "a faraway, unnreachable place" and never spontaneously searched to learn anything more, such a lack of curiosity, a dull mind.
Now I have learned many facts, from its history of trade, religious and cultural center, the UNESCO title, the wars, ...

Facts I also learned is that the houses of the "first westerners" are still standing in town (mostly are private homes)The first wheel of the town too is still preserved in Timbuktu Ethnological Museum. Before been know as a faraway exoctic place, Tombouctou was nicknamed The city of Gold because of the description of its wealth by some to Europeans.

But the most important fact I learned is that despite is impoverished state, insecurity, harsh climate and living conditions, people here don't give up on their town, their history, their lifes. My thoughts to them.

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chrisstonycreek, France

What a good project!

I have learned about Timbukti, that Mali, and with it Timbuktu used to be a colony of France from the late 19th century to 1960. France had quite a few colonies...

When I was little I had a childrens picture book. It was about a little boy and his family in Timbuktu. I forgot the name of it but I remember the book very well. That is because I loved and hated it at the same time. Loved it because of the beautyful illustrations and hated it because of the sad story.

With this book I learned about slavery. The little boys family was captured and sold to cotton farmers in the USA. There they were seperated and brought to many different farms to work there. The little boy and his sister went out to search for their family, but could not find them. All while the slave holders were searching for them.

The happy ending was not so happy. They met a nice man who hid them on a ship and brought them back to Timbuktu. But they never found their family...

This is also part of the history of Timbuktu. The place was involved in the skave trade...

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cilouthe, Belgium

Nice initiative and very interesting, I learned a lot of Timbuktu this way. The most fascinating for me are all those manuscripts that are still there (700 000). I love letters ands scripts, and of course postcards ;-).

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katieau, Hong Kong

I am going to buy myself a card on my birthday !
Fun fact of Timbuktu - University of Sankoré, was one of the first universities ever built in the world

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Zeby, New Zealand

There is not enough rain in Timbuktu for the grain, so they have to use the River Niger to feed the crops of rice.

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catwool, United States of America

I treasure my odd and single postcards from far away places. I would be excited to win one from Timbuktu. Considering that the monthly income is only $80-$90, what a boom to their economy it would be if even half of us as a group would purchase a post card to be sent to a friend or even have one sent to ourselves.

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NIDUSKA, Finland

Timbuktu is an ancient city in Mali,hot desert climate

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rakyanwidhowati, United Kingdom

when I was child, all the things about Timbuktu that I know is about fantasy. I read Donald Duck comic lot, and in there, Unca Donald always hide in Timbuktu from many troubles that he made. Haha. But while I was growin' up, I know that Timbuktu is a small town that being a part for Islamic civilization that raises big people as Ibnu Batuta etc.

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Viras_Butterfly, Russia

I first learned about this place. postcrossing makes us smarter

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Seagal, Germany

Timbuktu is far, far away and has/ had a wonderful library .

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jm1122, United States of America

I learned about the historic Sankore University in Timbuktu. I read that the students would pay the lecturers in money, clothing, cows, poultry, sheep or services, depending on how well-off the student's family was. Thank you for bringing this postcard business to my attention.

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kristinabeth, United States of America

I was interested in learning how Timbuktu came by its name -- one story is that it was named for an elder woman left to watch the camp while the tribe roamed, and that it means "mother with a large navel". (via this article on Encylopedia Brittanica: https://www.britannica.com/place/Timbuktu-Mali)

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RumDilly, Japan

This is such a great idea! I definitly have to find someone who will appreciate a card from Timbuktu and send one to them!

Thanks for introducing this here!

As I like animals I googled what animals can be found in Timbuktu.
The Aardvark (Erdferkel in German) is not only very cute, but also has a very charming name :) It eats ants!

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KellyKing, United States of America

I learned that Timbuktu has a similar population to my hometown! About 54,000!

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APol, Poland

My friend was in Mali and visited Timbuktu some years ago. I've only watched the movie "Timbuktu" and I was moved by the scene of playing match with the invisible ball... That is so sad and heartbreaking what armed fanatics can do with peacefully oriented people :(

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anne_daniels, Russia

As I am really interested in architecture I learned that in Timbuktu there are only biggest buildings in city and all of them are mosques. They are bulit in Sahelian style. Looks imressive and extraordinary.

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marmalade3sky, Russia

I struggled for some minutes trying to remember where I'd heard about Timbuktu... It sounded as something very familiar from the childhood. So finally I figured out it was from a Russian song "Sara Baraboo". Thanks for reviving old memories :)
Something that grabbed my attention is that a huge number of valuable ancient manuscripts were being hidden from destruction not only in Medieval times, but also in modernity. Which is sad.

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postcardiva81, United States of America

I was interested to find out that it was a real place! Also to find out that the temps there are usually hot! Such a sad thing for it to be so consumed by war though.

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novastella1010, United States of America

Sadly, I never knew anything about Timbuktu, but now I do. I just learned that their inhabitants speak mostly Koyra Chiini that is a Songhay language. I love learning about different languages, so I am going to do more research on the languages of Timbuktu.

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HelenaHollanda, Netherlands

I didn't know the situation in Timbuktu was that bad and it was under attack so many times. Good work Postcrossing to support them and of course I hope to recieve one of these cards. But more important I hope everything is going to be better soon for all the people who live there.

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lelers, Ukraine

The main treasure of Timbuktu is more than 100 thousand manuscripts - ancient manuscripts in biology, astronomy, history, mathematics, music, piety and other sciences.

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JenMarie, United States of America

What a lovely project, I have always been curious about Timbuktu, and it's so sad to hear what is happening there. I didn't know that their main trading industry is in salt. And that they have so many ancient manuscripts covering so many topics. It has such a rich history.

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juytters, Belgium

I did not realize the situation was that bad in Timbuktu, I will order a card so I can help the guides

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kvchouse, United States of America

I love their creativity!!!! The whole section on the libraries amazed me, especially the man who save many of the ancient manuscripts.

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BFingerJo, Germany

When I think of Timbuktu I have clay architecture and Ali Farka Touré in mind :-)

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AnKa29, Belarus

Hello. How sad that in the world is still a large number of countries in which it is so difficult to live a peaceful life. It's great that Phil, Bintu and Ali can tell us Timbuktu's story through wonderful cards. Guys, good luck and happiness!

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Marcin, United States of America

The camel caravan, or Azalai, was still being used to haul 30kg slabs of salt (four slabs to the camel) 800km from Taodenni to Timbuktu in 2017. They also offer a tourist option to ride a camel for two weeks north to Taodenni, or a 4-wheel drive truck for three days. When the salt trade began about 1000 years ago salt and gold were worth the same by weight. Pictures easily findable online of the salt mines, the camel caravans, the Timbuktu salt markets, and the Mopti salt transfer port are fascinating.

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hajaraqielah, Malaysia

Hi Postcrossers! I'm Hajar from Malaysia, this is my first time hearing a place called Timbuktu which i think it is such a unique country from its name. I bet there's a lot of people out there never heard of Malaysia before as it is indeed a very small country in Asia. But I thought that the man in the photograph is really an amazing man as he tries to preserve the traditional postcarding way by selling postcard in addition of generating income. i believe he did a good job! Thumbs up!

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MicheleMC, United States of America

I learned that while French is the official language, the majority of people speak Koyra Chiini. I listened to a bit and it is a very beautiful language.

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rousita, Mexico

Timbuktu sounds here as a very exotic place. I learned that the temperatures can be extreme, with highs of almost 50 degrees Celsius!! I also learned that rice is one of the few crops they have, mainly close to the river Niger, taking advantage of the annual flooding. :: Thank you, Postcrossing, for helping this project!! :D

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ericdeng, Taiwan

Wow, nice story!!!!
I know about Timbuktu was once a commercial center in Sahara Desert. But now the business declined...It's famous for its mosque buildings.
Hope one day I can travel to there!

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hopeley, United States of America

can we have their address to send a postcard?

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paulie1, Australia

the guy in the pic is very cute and happy xo

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pujiro, Indonesia

I heard sometimes about timbuktu. Then read about it for several times on some books. Intetesting place!

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Edenka, Germany

I think this is a great project.
What i have learned recently about Timbuktu is, that it was one of the most educated places until in the late 16th / early 17th century the armies of the marrocan Sultan took over and killed all schoolars who urged resistance.

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Geograph, Russia

Great! The main thing to avoid war. I will be glad to receive such a postcard:)

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Cassisia, Germany

What an interesting project!
I was surprised to read on Wikipedia that Timbuktu is a sister city to Chemnitz in Germany. :)

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Robin67, Austria

Garfield once stuffed Nermal into a box and addressed it to Timbuktu! :-D

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alhimik, Russia

I haven't thought that Timbuktu is really exist :) I'd like to visit that place.

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airda, Slovakia

Timbuktu was always a magical place for me that I thought was only in fantasy. It is great to know that this great project also works in this remote location. :)

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galadali, Ukraine

I have learned about Timbuktu.

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umrotul_syaidah, Indonesia

well, i know Timbuktu from one of Indonesian Influencer, his name is Raditya Dika. and i know it from his Instagram timeline.
i hope i can be one of 5 luckiest person here :)

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PyrrhulaPyrrhula, Netherlands

I remember when I first got to know that Timbuktu really existed! It's a country that has a lot of myths around it I think. We also have some Dutch sayings about it and I read a children's book of Dutch writer Carry Slee that has the country as a title, but then in Dutch: Timboektoe!

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KitKat14, Rwanda

I remember reading about the man who smuggled a number of manuscripts out of Timbuktu for safe keeping. Interesting to note that the people there mistrust the government efforts to preserve the documents hidden by families around the city. I imagine it would be hard to give up a piece of history that you have been entrusted with by grandparents etc.

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arishachka, Russia

Timbuktu is a very ancient place, so we shouldn't, we must honour it as a real heritage of humanity and history. I have learned that in Timbuktu there is THE unique mosque made from only clay. Unfortunately,due to desert's sand and wind, this spectacular place may be lost ever.

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svoboda999, Netherlands

It was interesting to know that although French is an official language, today the majority of inhabitants speaks Koyra Chiini that functions as the lingua franca

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vkribe, Indonesia

Timbuktu is a place of cultural and spiritual significance, as it was a popular trading centre for ivory, gold, salt and slaves, as well as a major hub for Islam and education during 1400s and 1500s

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Illusearch, India

Initially thought of Timbuktu as an imaginary destination, it's was an eyeopener when I read that it's in Mali & I now know that it is a sister city to Marrakech (another ancient city with rich history) in Morocco.
This indeed is an excellent initiative & we hope that we can help the city & its citizens get thriving again.

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RosaRosae, Spain

I want to tell about a book where Tombuctu has a Chapter
Leon, the African by Amin Maalouf
I read this book 15 years ago and many of images describes on it are still on my mind
I'm from south Spain and you couldn't believe how history, past events, are so connected with our own history

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eta55, United States of America

It was fascinating for me to find out that Timbuktu was (and still is) on an ancient trade route for the salt mines approximately 600 km north. While the salt used to come by camel, (the caravans carried food to the mines as well on the reverse trip), it is now done across the desert via truck, although there are no roads. What a wonderful project, thanks for sponsoring this!

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Squidwand, Spain

I've learned that Timbuktu's closest port is called Kabara which can only function as a port in December to January when the river is in full flood. When the water levels are lower, boats have to dock at Korioumé which is 18 away and travel by paved road. thanks for sharing the project

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IndonesiaRaya, Indonesia

i just learned that Timbuktu is really exist ! an ancient city from 14th century in Mali, north of Niger river.
i thought it was only in books to describe a long long journey or an unreachable place, haha...
definitely i learn a lot from this web Postcrossing, especially about geography.
thanks so much

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keresa, Germany

What a great idea, I'd love to win a postcard from Timbuktu! I actually learned where Timbuktu is located - I didn't knew this before. Thank you for this oppurtunity!

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luvmy4dogs, United States of America

Timbuktu has a fascinating history with its being a trading crossroads and capital of the Mali Empire. This land is so important that it became a required history topic for third grade Virginia students when I was teaching there. Would love to buy some!

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Vossie, Netherlands

I have learned that fashion designer Alphadi (Seidnaly Sidhamed) was born there.

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Kristalli, Finland

Timbuktu used to be a regional trade centre in the medieval times. If I win I'd like Giorgis to receive the card. :)

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clemens1279n, Germany

About Timbuktu I had a childs book called: "Tim fährt los nach Timbuktu" - it would be a great surprise for me to get a postcard from there.

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iyak, United States of America

I love this project! I buy djembe drums from Bomako, and recently got one with a note from the carver saying that the wood had been floated down the Niger. I would love a postcard from Timbuktu.

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suradarm, Thailand

I love this project. I never know Timbuktu before. After I heard this project, I try to find information about TIMBUKTU (World Heritage Site). Thanks postcrossing to open my learning world. And I hope you will have others project to help them.

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Neige_argent, Russia

I know that Timbuktu is an ancient city. Now it's very poor. Timbuktu has a great history, and postcards are a great opportunity to remind about such an interesting place, to read its history!

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dvila, Spain

Congratulations on the project, good initiative.

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Penco, Netherlands

BBC had a fascinating programme on the other day about Mali's history. I never realised Mali in the 14h Century was an incredibly rich and advanced nation under king Mansa Musa. Should I be lucky enough to "win" a card, I will send it as a gift to someone else (giving makes the world go round :))

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sarahdonn, United States of America

I love this project and have shared it with my snail mail loving pals. A fact I learned about Timbuktu is that it was used to house prisoners of war during WWII.

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jenutny, United States of America

I think this is a great idea! I will be sure to help!

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sommerfugle, Spain

Today I learnt that most of Timbuktu's inhabitants speak "Koyra Chiini", a language with no phonemic tones and member of the Songhay languages spoken in Mali.

Love this project!

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ncalp, United States of America

A great project. How sad about terrorist activity. Lots of information in the article that I did not know.

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AnnitaV, Spain

I read the book "Cita a Tombuctú" (Pep Subirós), and I liked very much. It talks about a love story in the city, and how difficult is to get there.
This project transmits good vibrations...

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Patchez, United States of America

Timbuktu is located on the southern edge of the Sahara 15 km (9 mi) north of the main channel of the River Niger. The town is surrounded by sand dunes and the streets are covered in sand. The port of Kabara is 8 km (5 mi) to the south of the town and is connected to an arm of the river by a 3 km (2 mi) canal. The canal had become heavily silted but in 2007 it was dredged as part of a Libyan financed project, I hope I get a postcard, so awesome!!!!!

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neddi, Germany

This is really a great project !
A few years ago I watched the film "Timbuktu" in Berlin in a very small cinema. Three visitors only... I was deeply touched by this film which shows life under the control of fanatic IS people and criminal warlords. It must be horrible. The desert landscape and the regional sights are impressing as well - I did not know anything about it before.

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SNarkis, United States of America

I learned that Timbuktu became a World Heritage site in 1988. Best of luck to Phil, Bintou, and Ali!

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genciukas, Lithuania

Long time ago I listened the song "Sara Barabu" by bit-band "Secret" and I believed they sing the true story about Timbuktu. It was about the little bay called Timbuktu, where grow coconuts, bananas and lots of other fruits and people are very lively and kind.
But when I grew up, I read lots of books and watched TV programmes, I found than in reality Timbuktu is far from the sea and even does not have a river! However, it is a lovely contry which deserves better life.
It is sad that innocent people have to suffer the horror of the wars.
I know that last year my native Lithuania increased its involvement in the United Nations-led Multinational Integrated Stabilization Mission (MINUSMA) in Mali. So, it means there are volunteers from Lithuania in Mali and somwhere around Timbuktu.
I hope I will be that lucky to receive the postcard from Timbuktu.

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a_lilya_89, Russia

I had never heard of Timbuktu before. And now I sit and read about this place, I now know what I will do next weekend and what I'll read about. I am grateful to this article for giving me a tip and now I have opened the page for a new interesting book. I would have a time to get a postcard that will pass such a long way.

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retiredemo, United States of America

I have heard of this place, but always assumed it was fictional. I learned that the spelling of Timbuktu is open for debate. I hope to be able to use this service to help with the tour guides' income sometime soon.

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cinciong, United States of America

I learned that hundreds of thousands of manuscripts were collected in Timbuktu over centuries and many have survived the city’s decline thanks to a collection of libraries in Timbuktu. What a great project, thanks for helping!

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arasmi, United States of America

I learned that Timbuktu is in Mali and that is has various spellings of it's name.
I would love to get a postcard from this mystical place!

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carrieowns, United States of America

I knew Timbuktu was often considered a place for exhaling people...but didn't realize it was such a haven for trade. I Would be so lucky to receive a card from here!

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nandaekac, Indonesia

Hi, I only know that Timbuktu located in Mali, Africa

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Lelopa, Russia

Таких проектов надо больше. Заинтересованы обе стороны. Мали и Тимбукту - это прекрасно

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Stanislav18, Russia

Timbuktu is a city on the edge of the Sahara. There was a time when there was the "Eldorado" of West Africa, the capital of the Malian Empire. Here, from all over the Arab world, philosophers and scholars gathered. From here in the Mediterranean brought salt and gold. That is why in the minds of Europeans, the city has become legends and myths.
I propose to revive the Timbuktu feature and hold congresses of philosophers and scientists in this wonderful place.I would like to receive a postcard from Timbuktu.

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muybien138, Japan

I've never heard about Timbuktu. Thanks for telling me about it.

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tokyomusings, Japan

What a wonderful project with such interesting postcards! And a beautiful smile behind the card! I have to admit I had to look Timbuktu up on a map as I didn't know it was real. Now I know that it exists in Mali.

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SammyKruemel, Germany

What a great project! The postcards and stamps look beautiful!
I didn't know that I would have to travel longer to Timbuktu than to the other end of the world (New Zealand).

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DarkSerenity, Canada

Apparently in the 14th century, gold was so prominent that it was worth just as much as salt. Hence a lot of people from the surrounding cities seeking to acquire the riches for cheap comming from all over.
Would like to be part of the project <3

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Wollmaus089, Germany

Timbuktu was a regional trade centre in medieval times for salt, gold, ivory and slaves. This project is special!

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FlyingGiraffe, United Kingdom

Really interesting to learn about Timbuktu, I wouldn't even have known where it was! I enjoyed learning about it, Thankyou! Did you know there are many libraries in Timbuktu, containing over 700,000 manuscripts?

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ilomore, Russia

I found that Timbuktu is the sister city to few cities all the world around (for example Marrakech or Chemnitz).
Great project! Thank you a lot!

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Szilvi79, Hungary

The facts I've learned about Timbuktu thanks for this project:

It is a very ancient city.
The official language is french. But the most of them speak Koyra Chiini.
The weather is very very hot. (Wow! 36,8 °C the yearly avarege temperature!)
It rains a LOT at the end of the year.
The origin of the name of the city is a puzzle.
The salt is transported from there to other parts of the country.
The visiting of the tourists dropped because of the Al'Caida kidnapping tourists. :(
The most well known cultural event is Festival au Désert.

I wish them all the best! I hope peace and welfare come soon.

Thank you for this article.

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moskvichevaa_, Russia

This is an incredible project; getting a postcard from there, would be a dream come true!

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ksenyakor, Russia

So excited and important project!
I want to participate!

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gabrielef, Germany

The average maximum temperatures do not drop below 30 °C in Timbuktu. And we here in Germany "moan" because we have the same during summer.

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uncknitter, United States of America

Wow. What an awesome project! I learned that the first European didn't even reach Timbuktu until 1826. It's history is fascinating.

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nehalennia, Netherlands

Well, I grew up with sayings over things being "in Timbuktu" (to indicate they went astray somewhere and can't be found for a while). Later I learned about this fascinating and interesting place. What a fantastic initiative! I'd love to participate!

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Nigella, Netherlands

I first heard of Timbuktu when we had our first internet connection years ago. We had internet thanks to Timbutku! All the way from Timbuktu to Amsterdam! Wow! This wonderful postcard project is something else! Back to snailmail! What a wonderful project! Would love to participate!

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VCrespo, Portugal

This is a great project.
I have learned about Timbuktu.

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Wundertier, Germany

I first heard the name Timbuktu during childhood when i watched the movie Aristocats :). When i searched for more information about Timbuktu a few years later i found out that it once has been the center of the trans-sahara-trade for a very long time. That must have been an amazing time seeing all these travelling caravans and camels. This project i a great idea.

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EngelDD, Germany

Great project and I always told everyone that I will meet the man of my dreams there... ;o)

I learned that Timbuktu is actual an oasis (city) next to the desert in Mali.

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JojoEff, Canada

The name "Timbukru" has at least four possible origins.
I like the version by the French Orientalist René Basset : from the Zenaga root b-k-t, meaning "to be distant" or "hidden", and the feminine possessive particle tin. The meaning "hidden" could point to the city's location in a slight hollow.

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manuela, Portugal

Dear Phil, Bintou and Ali and Mohamed! :)

I'm Manuela and I was born in Disney time !! It was amazing to know that Donald Duck (one of my favourite one) uses Timbuktu as a safe haven. I was also surprise to remember that Edgar from "The Aristocats" threatens the cats with being sent to Timbuktu - but he did not know that he was sending them to the heart of the world! Beautiful! :)

Great idea! :)

Thank you for become possible to participate.

A big hug from Portugal.

Best wishes,
Manuela.

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Mayya_G, Russia

What good project! It is desirable to help! Let a postal arrive on a north! I want to send a postal to hot Sahara, Timbuktu.

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SSSS, Taiwan

I have learned about Timbukt🙋

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Chenoah, Germany

I learned that Timbuktu was once rich and a trade city of the trans sahara trade. Even until fairly recently. (Like end of the 19 th century, it was still flourishing.)
I live an a city famous for trade as well.
The german sayings around Timbuktu have been like any destination, that is really far away and not easy to reach.

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mtrichards, United States of America

I learned their languages are both Berber and French, and that the main source of economy is the mining of rock salt. It is a sad state of affairs and this is a wonderful way to try to educate and give back. Bravo Postcrossing for making the world just a little bit better! Fun to read out Timbuktu.

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calicoskies, Germany

A great and very fascinating project. I would like to take part of this and, maybe, sometime in the future I will visit Timbuktu!

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moonlightlaura, United States of America

Very interesting to know that one librarian in particular, Abdel Kader Haidara, organized to have 350,000 medieval manuscripts smuggled out of Timbuktu for safekeeping. That is neat!

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Sandristica, Spain

Timbuktu has a river port!

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sevg, Türkiye

I learned, not too surprisingly, that a lot of manuscripts from Timbuktu are in French museums and universities right now. I hope one day they can safely return to where they belong.

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Tera_Ecau, Germany

What an interesting lottery, that also does good. Thank you Paulo and Ana for offering the cards! :)
Something I´ve learned about Timbuktu: Even though French is Mali´s official language, lingua franca in Timbuktu is Koyra Chiini.

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Mirina_, Russia

Fact - it turns out Timbuktu-the capital of the self-proclaimed state of Azavad. And the city is included in the world heritage list of UNESCO!

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gorp5113tl, Netherlands

What a wonderful project! This is something that many countries or cities, with projects who need some money, can do. Postcrossing can help them. Many Postcrossers and people who collect stamps, would be very happy with a postcard of a stamp from a country, where are not many tourists are going to. I wish the people in Timbuktu lots of succes! Just seen a documentary about Mali and Timbuktu. Very interesting!

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France-Montreal, Canada

Such a wonderful project! I love it. And they speak French like me :)
I would really appreciate the postcard.

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mor_lefay, Greece

When I was young one of my favorite cartoons was The Aristocats. There is a scene where the bad guy, Edgar, locks the Aristocats in a chest and he cries "You're going to Timbuktu, if it's The last thing I Do" So as a kid I always thought Timbuktu as a very far-gloomy place. When I grow up I searched a lot about this fascinating place. I know it was once thriving with life and it has one of the oldest universities in the world, including many scripts in my language Greek. I really wish to visit it one day :)

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BabyD, Greece

I wish to be the first 4-year-old (???) to have a card from Timbuktu!!

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Mattin62, Germany

Timbuktu is something like another word for an interreting place far far away. I know this place since my childhood, but didn't know exactly where it is ore if it's a place in fantasy. How can I order cards directly in Timbuktu and is there a possibility to choose one postcard?

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Giovanni17, Italy

My name is Giovanni and I'm 12. Today I have discovered this town and this country (Mali) for the first time. Now I know that French is its official language and I'm studying French at school, too. I have discovered that in January the temperature can be 13°C by night and 30° C during the day. Probably Timbuktu will become one of the 7 modern wonders of the world. I hope to receive a postcard from this beautiful town. Ciao!

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futouristka, Russia

I immediately remembered that European explorer of Timbuktu who returned safely from his expedition disguised himself as Arab, but I couldn't recollect his name. Just googled it--René Caillié.

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Shreysharma, India

I did not know about timbuktu but we are uding rock salt in daily use and for its medicinal use in India.

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Bookstraveller, Germany

Such a wonderful opportunity! I learned that Timbuktu is situated in Mali :)

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Ranju, India

Great to know about this country...a new discovery for me!!!

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EvieB, United States of America

Thanks for the history lesson on Timbuktu! I liked the Tuareg story about how it got it's name from the slave woman. I will definetely check out the link for their postcards :)

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LittleWoman, United States of America

I mostly know of Timbuktu from the movie The Aristocats. Here is one reason it's well known: "Timbuktu was at the end of the caravan routes across the Sahara desert. In medieval times the city was known as a far-away place almost impossible to get to. Hence 'from here to Timbuktoo' means a great distance."

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Evonny, Netherlands

With a little investigation i found it fascinating to find out that Timbuktu has about 80 different spoken languages. Besides the official French, there are also Bambara, Fulfulde, Tamashek, Dogon, Songhai and many more that i do not know the exact names of. Would be great to receive a postcard from this amazing country and city. Succes with the 'Postcard from Timbuktu' Project!

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JasonDavid, Canada

There were around the same number of people in Timbuktu in the 16th century - about 50,000 - as there are now! IT's located almost in the centre of Mali.

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mihneaR, Romania

Wow- indeed a great project. Seems that some people from Africa learn how to feed the collectors. I've learn now about Timbuktu (from this article) that they have desertification. Thank you Ana and Paulo for the lottery!

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inuk, Germany

Dear friends, I learned about the Timbuktu World Heritage, the 3 Clay mosques. They are part of the world heritage since 1988, and it would be great to recieve a postcard of them. All the best for the Timbuktu-Project!

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AmandaPost, United States of America

I would love to send one of these to a friend of mine <3
What a great idea!

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TPB, Poland

Great idea!

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barberfamily, Canada

So glad to read about this project, it's a wonderful idea. Timbuktu has a fascinating history and one that deserves to be better known. My favourite fact is the explanation of its name from the Berber translation: a place covered by small dunes. It's so evocative.

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mauxjeaux, United States of America

I enjoyed reading about Timbuktu. My fact is that in 2006 in a survey, 66% of the people thought Timbuktu was a Mythical place.

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adventure_betsy, United States of America

Timbuktu was a center of scholarship! Many sacred Muslim texts were brought to the city for the scholars. Amazingly many of them still remain, though in delicate condition. They are mostly in private hands. There is hopethat they could be used to encourage tourism.

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ksherman712, United States of America

That Timbuktu suffers from both droughts and floods!
Ksherman712

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IDonCarlos, United States of America

What a great concept for promoting Timbuktu. I plan to purchase a card for a friend's classroom!

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PetaSama, China

Timbuktu is located in northern Mali, on the edge of the Sahara Desert. It is a charming city of sandy streets, deep history (it was once a center of trade and Islamic learning, with one of the world's earliest universities) and a Sahelian mix of cultures. However, a great part of it was destroyed by rebels and terrorists and also made this place very hard to get there for tourists.

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Marzjosh11, United States of America

I learned that Timbuktu really does have a far more fascinating history than I once thought, including its very long history, being founded in the 10th century!

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Sedlackovi, Czech Republic

Thanks to your article I learned that Timbuktu is a real place. I knew the word Timbuktu before but I wouldn't be able to say if it was real town or not. I looked up for more info on wiki. Interesting.

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Dyshes, Russia

Интересно как! Надо помочь людям!

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ASColin, Singapore

When I was in my primary school in the mid 1950's my class teacher will teased the pupils that they will be sent to Timbutu if they do not behave themselves. All the time we thought it was just an imaginary place. Later in my secondary education, when I was viewing the atlas of Africa I came to know that Timbuktu existed but nothing much was heard of it. Even to this date not many have heard of Timbuktu.

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Christa, Germany

I would love to visit more places of Africa . But unfortunately Mali and neighbour countries have many places which not are safe to go. Best luck for people in Timbuktu /Mali and the postcard project :)

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Meixi, Austria

Great project! Timbuktu is also called "City of the 333 Saints" or "Pearl of the Desert".

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kmpoppe, Germany

I'd love to see Timbuktu at some point in the future, when hopefully Mali is not a war-region anymore :-(
Some have already mentioned Hay-on-Wye as a twin city, but did you know, that the Dulas Brook, which is _essentially_ the border of England and Wales where H-o-W lies, is home to otters and crayfish?

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Irina_Borisova, Russia

Очень интересная история! Я бы очень хотела получить
открытку из Тимбукту)))

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Labella79, Germany

Thanks to this great article, I learned about Timbuktu that it is located in central Mali and it's a WHS.
Thanks for sharing this project with us.

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Komet83, Germany

They do grow floating rice in Timbuktu (using the overflooding River Niger to water the plants).

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kaCparas, Lithuania

Kabara can only function as a port in December to January when the river is in full flood

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cheema, Pakistan

Timbuktu is located on the southern edge of the Sahara.

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siobhan, Germany

I learned that the most of the people in Timbuktu speak Koyra Chiini, a langauge I had never heard of before. I'd like to actually hear what it sounds like. :)
I love how postcards can make a change in the world, even if it's only a small one!

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Juldal, Guatemala

I learned that the annually Festival Au Désert, which started in 2001, was relocated to the outskirts of Timbuktu in 2010. A great gathering and music event with traditional and more modern music, fx. the tuareg band Tinariwen.
I really love this postcard project and would love to recieve a postcard from Mali! :o

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kerrytoad, United States of America

Over many centuries hundreds of thousands of important historical manuscripts were collected in Timbuktu. Since many of these have been lost or damaged during times of War the citizens of Timbuktu have rallied to try to save many of them. Up to 300,000 manuscripts about the history of Africa and the history of Islam are hidden and cared for by individual families.

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girl_of_ink, Netherlands

I learnt about specific 'desert elephants' (elephants are my favourite animals) living near Timbuktu (en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desert_elephant).

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halliesong, Singapore

Timbuktu has three great mosques - Djingareyber, Sankore and Sidi Yahia. The mosques are exceptional examples of earthen architecture and of traditional maintenance techniques, which continue to the present time.

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drehstuhl, Germany

I learned about Timbuktu that it had one of world's earliest universities.

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Polarlight, Germany

Timbuktu is an oasis town on the edge of the Sahara in the West African state of Mali. Ever since, Timbuktu has been a center of trans-Saharan trade with more than 400 caravans a year. "Over 400 caravans" also means more than 140,000 camels.

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kcskriszta, Hungary

Very nice project!
Many greetings from Hungary to Mali. 😊

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