Why was the city of timbuktu important?
a. it was the crossroads of travel from the atlantic coast to mecca.
b. it was a center of trade, culture, and education.
c. it was the site of the largest gold mines in africa.
d. it served as the west african home of the sultan of egypt.

Timbuktu was considered a very important place due to its geographic position in West Africa as a major economic city during the 15th and 16th centuries. It was also considered a vitally important city for the spread of Islam in Africa, due to the efforts of the University of Sankore. 

That was the very first thing that pops up when you type that question into google.

B.It was a center of trade, culture, and education.