African Cities Timeline
Discover the rich history and development of African cities from ancient settlements to modern metropolises
Oujda
Morocco Oriental
Location
34.68, -1.91Eastern capital, center of local culture and administration.
Economic Role
Administrative center, regional trade, local commerce, cultural hub.
Harar
Ethiopia Harari
Location
9.32, 42.12Historic city, center of Islamic culture and Harari heritage, UNESCO World Heritage site.
Economic Role
Cultural heritage, tourism hub, regional trade, local commerce.
Kano
Nigeria Kano
Location
12.00, 8.59Historic city, center of Hausa culture and Islamic learning.
Economic Role
Commercial center, cultural heritage, regional trade, local commerce.
Bobo-Dioulasso
Burkina Faso Hauts-Bassins
Location
11.18, -4.30Second largest city, center of Bobo culture and traditions, cultural capital.
Economic Role
Cultural center, agricultural processing, regional trade hub, tourism.
Marrakech
Morocco Marrakech-Safi
Location
31.63, -7.98Historic city, center of Berber culture and tourism, UNESCO World Heritage site.
Economic Role
Tourism hub, cultural heritage, regional commerce, local trade.
Meknes
Morocco Fès-Meknès
Location
33.89, -5.55Historic city, center of imperial heritage and local culture.
Economic Role
Cultural heritage, tourism hub, regional commerce, local trade.
Tlemcen
Algeria Tlemcen
Location
34.88, -1.32Historic Islamic cultural center with beautiful architecture.
Economic Role
Tourism, traditional crafts, agriculture.
Katsina
Nigeria Katsina
Location
12.98, 7.60Historic city, center of Hausa culture and Islamic learning.
Economic Role
Cultural heritage, educational center, regional trade, local commerce.
Sousse
Tunisia Sousse
Location
35.83, 10.64Historic city, center of tourism and local culture, UNESCO World Heritage site.
Economic Role
Tourism hub, cultural heritage, regional commerce, local trade.
Tombouctou
Mali Tombouctou
Location
16.77, -3.02Historic city, center of trans-Saharan trade and Islamic culture, UNESCO World Heritage site.
Economic Role
Cultural heritage, tourism hub, regional commerce, local trade.
Ouadane
Mauritania Adrar
Location
20.93, -11.62Historic city, center of trans-Saharan trade and Islamic culture, UNESCO World Heritage site.
Economic Role
Cultural heritage, tourism hub, regional commerce, local trade.
Rabat
Morocco Rabat-Salé-Kénitra
Location
34.02, -6.84Capital of Morocco, center of government and modern culture.
Economic Role
Political capital, government services, administrative center, regional trade hub.
Tichitt
Mauritania Tagant
Location
18.43, -9.52Historic city, center of trans-Saharan trade and Islamic culture, UNESCO World Heritage site.
Economic Role
Cultural heritage, tourism hub, regional commerce, local trade.
Gede
Kenya Kilifi
Location
-3.30, 40.02Historic Swahili ruins, UNESCO World Heritage site, center of ancient coastal civilization.
Economic Role
Tourism, archaeological site, cultural heritage, limited local commerce.
Lalibela
Ethiopia Amhara
Location
12.03, 39.05Historic city, center of rock-hewn churches and religious heritage, UNESCO World Heritage site.
Economic Role
Cultural heritage, tourism hub, religious center, regional commerce.
Malindi
Kenya Kilifi
Location
-3.22, 40.12Historic Swahili town, center of coastal culture and traditions, major tourist destination.
Economic Role
Tourism hub, fishing industry, hospitality services, regional trade.
Walata
Mauritania Hodh Ech Chargui
Location
17.30, -7.27Historic city, center of trans-Saharan trade and Islamic culture, UNESCO World Heritage site.
Economic Role
Cultural heritage, tourism hub, regional commerce, local trade.
Mansoura
Egypt Dakahlia
Location
31.04, 31.38Historic city, center of local culture and agriculture.
Economic Role
Administrative center, agricultural processing, regional trade, local commerce.
Annaba
Algeria Annaba
Location
36.90, 7.75Ancient historical significance, birthplace of Saint Augustine.
Economic Role
Major port city, steel industry center, phosphate processing.
Tetouan
Morocco Tanger-Tétouan-Al Hoceïma
Location
35.59, -5.36Historic city, center of Andalusian culture and local administration.
Economic Role
Cultural heritage, administrative center, regional commerce, local trade.
Lamu
Kenya Lamu
Location
-2.27, 40.90Historic Swahili town, UNESCO World Heritage site, center of Swahili culture and traditions.
Economic Role
Tourism, cultural heritage, fishing industry, traditional crafts.