Question

this is an excerpt from the history and description of africa written by leo africanus in 1526.
the inhabitants are very rich, especially the strangers who have settled in the country; so much so that the current king has given two of his daughters in marriage to two brothers, both businessmen, an account of their wealth. there are many wells containing sweet water in timbuktu; and in addition, when the niger is in flood, canals deliver the water to the city. grain and animals are abundant, so that the consumption of milk and butter is considerable. but salt is in very short supply because it is carried here from tegaza, some 500 miles from timbuktu.
based on this excerpt, which sentence most accurately states the importance of the city of timbuktu in the kingdom of mali?
○ it was the capital of the kingdom.
○ it thrived as a commercial hub.
○ it operated as a military fort.
○ it served as a religious site

Explanation:

The excerpt mentions the inhabitants being rich, especially strangers who settled there (implying trade/commerce), and details about resources like water, grain, animals, and salt trade (from Tegaza, 500 miles from Timbuktu). The option "It thrived as a commercial hub" aligns with these details about trade and wealth from business/settled strangers. Other options (capital, military fort, religious site) have no support in the excerpt.

Answer:

It thrived as a commercial hub.