Final answer:
Timbuktu facilitated economic expansion in West Africa by serving as an essential hub in the trans-Saharan trade, particularly controlling valuable commodities like gold and salt.
Step-by-step explanation:
Timbuktu greatly influenced the expansion in West Africa by serving as a crucial hub in the trans-Saharan trade network. It facilitated the exchange of a variety of goods, including gold, salt, textiles, and agricultural products. The abundance of resources like grain and animals, alongside the strategic control of scarce resources like salt, which was necessary for both dietary and preservation purposes, bolstered Timbuktu's economic importance. Moreover, the city's location allowed it to thrive from trade revenues, as strong empires like the Mali leveraged control over these trade routes to build significant wealth, further expanding their influence across the region. The exchange of goods and cultural practices, reinforced by shared religious ties through Islam, allowed for greater unity and political stability within West Africa, further enhancing the region's economic development and expansion.
Timbuktu facilitated the exchange of goods across West Africa, contributing significantly to regional economic expansion by serving as a central trading hub in the trans-Saharan network. Its control over valuable trade commodities like gold and salt, alongside the shared religious practices, played key roles in the economic and political dynamics of the region.