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Total Categories: 6
Gao is located on the right bank of the River Niger, approximately 320 kilometers east-southeast of Timbuktu.
Answer: False
Gao is situated on the left bank of the River Niger, not the right bank.
Gao is connected to Bamako by an unpaved road, and the Wabaria bridge replaced a ferry service in 2006.
Answer: False
Gao is connected to Bamako by a 1200-kilometer paved road, not an unpaved one.
The Wabaria bridge in Gao was entirely financed by the Chinese government.
Answer: False
The Wabaria bridge was financed by the Islamic Development Bank and the Malian government, not the Chinese government.
Gao has unpaved road links to the Kidal Region to its north and to Niamey, the capital of Niger, to its south.
Answer: True
The source confirms that Gao has unpaved road connections to the Kidal Region to the north and to Niamey, Niger, to the south.
The town of Ansongo is located 204 kilometers from Gao, just before the border with Niger.
Answer: False
The town of Ansongo is 103 kilometers from Gao. The distance to the border with Niger is 204 kilometers.
The prime meridian, an imaginary line of longitude, runs directly through Gao, Mali.
Answer: True
The prime meridian, which defines 0 degrees longitude, passes directly through Gao, Mali.
Seasonal ferry services on the Niger River from Gao are managed by COMANAV and typically run year-round.
Answer: False
The main ferry service on the Niger River from Gao is seasonal, typically operating from late July to mid-November when the water level is sufficient.
Gao experiences a tropical desert climate with very low rainfall, classified as Koppen: BWh.
Answer: True
Gao's climate is classified as a tropical desert climate (Koppen: BWh), characterized by very low rainfall.
Most of Gao's rainfall occurs during the dry season, from October to March.
Answer: False
Nearly all of Gao's rainfall occurs during the summer monsoon season (June-September), not the dry season.
The Harmattan wind, a dry, dusty north-easterly trade wind, affects Gao during the wet season.
Answer: False
The Harmattan wind affects Gao during the dry season, from October to March, not the wet season.
The vegetation in Gao, especially away from the Niger River, is dense and includes various types of fruit trees.
Answer: False
Due to low rainfall, the vegetation in Gao, particularly away from the river, is sparse, not dense.
Local agriculture in Gao is heavily dependent on the annual flood of the Niger River for irrigation.
Answer: True
The source states that almost all local agriculture in Gao depends on the Niger River's water for irrigation, which is supplied by the annual flood.
The Niger River flood peaks in Gao in September, at the same time as in Koulikoro.
Answer: False
While the Niger River flood peaks upstream in Koulikoro in September, it reaches its maximum level in Gao in December.
Upstream dams on the Niger River are expected to increase the overall flow at Gao, benefiting local agriculture.
Answer: False
Upstream dams are expected to reduce, not increase, the overall flow of the Niger River at Gao, potentially harming local agriculture.
During the dry season, the Niger River's flow at Gao decreases to about 50% of its maximum, causing some islands to appear.
Answer: False
During the dry season, the Niger River's flow decreases significantly to about 5% of its maximum, not 50%.
Which river is Gao situated on, and what is its approximate distance east-southeast of Timbuktu?
Answer: Niger River, 200 miles
What is the elevation of Gao above sea level?
Answer: 226 meters (744 feet)
What significant infrastructural improvement was made to the connection between Gao and Bamako in 2006?
Answer: The Wabaria bridge replaced a ferry service.
Which international entities financed the construction of the Wabaria bridge in Gao?
Answer: The Islamic Development Bank and the Malian government
What notable geographical line passes directly through Gao, Mali?
Answer: The prime meridian
What is the average annual rainfall in Gao?
Answer: 220 millimeters
Which month is typically the hottest in Gao?
Answer: May
What type of wind affects Gao during the dry period from October to March?
Answer: Harmattan wind
What is the primary source of water for almost all local agriculture in Gao?
Answer: The Niger River's water for irrigation
When does the Niger River flood reach its maximum level in Gao?
Answer: December
What is the potential impact of upstream dams on the Niger River's flow at Gao?
Answer: Reduce the overall flow, negatively impacting agriculture
Gao's historical significance as a commercial hub was primarily due to its participation in the trans-Saharan trade network.
Answer: True
The source material confirms that Gao was a crucial commercial hub within the trans-Saharan trade network for much of its history.
By the early 9th century, the local ruler of Gao was already identified as a Muslim, according to external Arabic writers.
Answer: False
According to external Arabic writers, the local ruler of Gao was identified as a Muslim by the close of the 10th century, not the early 9th.
Our understanding of Gao's early history relies heavily on indigenous written records from before the mid-17th century.
Answer: False
Knowledge of Gao's early history relies primarily on the writings of external Arabic geographers, as there are no surviving indigenous written records from before the mid-17th century.
The 17th-century chronicles, *Tarikh al-Sudan* and *Tarikh al-fattash*, provide extensive detail on Gao's social and economic history.
Answer: False
The 17th-century chronicles *Tarikh al-Sudan* and *Tarikh al-fattash* provide relatively little detail on Gao's social and economic history, focusing more on political events.
The earliest written mention of Gao comes from Ibn Battuta in the 14th century.
Answer: False
The earliest written mention of Gao is attributed to al-Khwārizmī in the first half of the 9th century, centuries before Ibn Battuta's visit.
Al-Yaqubi described the kingdom of Kawkaw (Gao) around 872 as the greatest and most powerful of the realms of the Sūdān.
Answer: True
Around 872, the historian Al-Yaqubi described the kingdom of Kawkaw (Gao) as the greatest and most powerful of the realms of the Sūdān.
Ibn Hawqal stated that the old trade route from Egypt to Sudan via Kawkaw was abandoned due to political conflicts in Egypt.
Answer: False
According to Ibn Hawqal, the old trade route from Egypt was abandoned because caravans were attacked by bandits or overwhelmed by wind-blown sand, not due to political conflicts.
In the 10th century, Gao was described as consisting of two distinct towns, one a commercial center and the other where the king resided.
Answer: True
Tenth-century accounts describe Gao as consisting of two towns: a commercial center on the eastern bank of the Niger and the king's residence on the western bank.
The 17th-century *Tarikh al-fattash* states that in the 10th century, Gao was located on the east bank of the Niger.
Answer: False
The *Tarikh al-fattash*, along with other early sources, situated 10th-century Gao on the west (Gourma) bank of the Niger, not the east bank.
According to *Tarikh al-Sudan*, Zuwa Kusoy, the 15th ruler of the Zuwa dynasty, was the first to convert to Islam in 1009–1010 AD.
Answer: True
The *Tarikh al-Sudan* identifies Zuwa Kusoy, the 15th ruler of the Zuwa dynasty, as the first to convert to Islam in 1009–1010 AD.
Ibn Battuta visited Gao in 1352–53, at which time it was an independent city-state.
Answer: False
When Ibn Battuta visited Gao in 1352–53, the town was part of the Mali Empire, not an independent city-state.
Ibn Khaldun recorded that Mali fought a war over Gao against Berber Tuareg forces in 1374/1375 AD, which devastated the city.
Answer: True
Ibn Khaldun documented a war between Mali and Berber Tuareg forces over Gao in 1374/1375 AD, a conflict that resulted in the city's devastation.
What was Gao's primary economic role for a significant portion of its history?
Answer: A crucial commercial hub in the trans-Saharan trade network
According to external Arabic writers, when was the local ruler of Gao first identified as a Muslim?
Answer: Close of the 10th century
When did Gao become integrated into the Mali Empire?
Answer: Towards the end of the 13th century
What is the primary source of information for Gao's early history?
Answer: Writings of Arabic geographers who lived in Morocco, Egypt, and Andalusia
What is a limitation of the 17th-century chronicles *Tarikh al-Sudan* and *Tarikh al-fattash* regarding Gao's history?
Answer: Their accounts for earlier periods are likely based on oral tradition and can be conflicting.
Of what ancient trade route was Gao the southern terminus?
Answer: A route utilizing chariots, connecting it to the Mediterranean region
Who provided the earliest written mention of Gao in the first half of the 9th century?
Answer: Al-Khwārizmī
According to Ibn Hawqal, why was the old trade route from Egypt to Sudan via Kawkaw abandoned around 988?
Answer: Caravans were attacked by bandits or overwhelmed by wind-blown sand.
Which historical accounts situated Gao on the west (right) bank of the Niger in the 10th century?
Answer: Al-Muhallabi and al-Bakri
According to *Tarikh al-Sudan*, who was the first ruler of the Zuwa dynasty to convert to Islam?
Answer: Zuwa Kusoy
What was Gao's political status when Ibn Battuta visited in 1352–53?
Answer: It was part of the expanding Mali Empire.
What unique agricultural product did Ibn Battuta note as abundant in Gao during his visit?
Answer: A unique cucumber
Gao regained its independence from the Mali Empire in the latter half of the 15th century, becoming the capital of the Songhai Empire under Sunni Ali.
Answer: False
Gao regained its independence from the Mali Empire in the first half of the 15th century, not the latter half.
Ali Kulun was the first ruler of the Sunni dynasty who successfully broke free from Malian control over Gao in the 14th century.
Answer: False
While Ali Kulun rebelled against Malian control, it was his successor, Sunni Sulayman Dama, who successfully broke free from the Malian yoke in the first half of the 15th century.
Leo Africanus visited Gao between 1506 and 1510, during the rule of Sunni Ali Ber.
Answer: False
Leo Africanus visited Gao between 1506 and 1510, during the reign of Askiya Muhammad I, not Sunni Ali Ber.
Leo Africanus noted that Gao was a large and civilized town, surrounded by a strong defensive wall.
Answer: False
Leo Africanus specifically observed that Gao was a large town that was not surrounded by a wall.
In the late 16th century, the Songhai Empire, with Gao as its capital, controlled an area comparable in size to modern Mali.
Answer: True
At its peak in the late 16th century, the Songhai Empire, with Gao as its capital, controlled an area of over 1.4 million square kilometers, comparable to modern Mali.
Which ruler is credited with establishing Gao as the capital of the Songhai Empire?
Answer: Sunni Ali
Who was Sunni Sulayman Dama, and what was his significant achievement regarding Gao?
Answer: He successfully broke free from Malian control over Gao.
Who was the ruler of Gao when Leo Africanus visited between 1506 and 1510?
Answer: Askiya Muhammad I
What was a notable observation by Leo Africanus about Gao's urban characteristics?
Answer: It lacked a surrounding wall.
What was the estimated population of Gao in the late 16th century, based on a survey during Askiya Al-Hajj's reign?
Answer: Around 45,000
Which of the following is a notable historical resident associated with Gao?
Answer: Askia Muhammad I
The Songhai Empire collapsed in 1591, leading to Gao's decline after Timbuktu was chosen as the new capital by the Moroccan invaders.
Answer: True
The Songhai Empire collapsed after the Moroccan invasion of 1591, and the invaders subsequently chose Timbuktu as the new capital, leading to Gao's decline.
When Heinrich Barth visited Gao in 1854, he found it to be a thriving city, recovering from its past decline.
Answer: False
When Heinrich Barth visited Gao in 1854, he found it had declined to an impoverished village of about 300 huts, not a thriving city.
What event directly led to the collapse of the Songhai Empire and the decline of Gao's importance?
Answer: The Moroccan invasion in 1591
What was the condition of Gao when Heinrich Barth visited in 1854?
Answer: A mere village of approximately 300 huts made of matting.
The urban commune of Gao had a population of 52,201 people in 2009.
Answer: False
The 2009 census recorded the population of Gao's urban commune as 86,633. The figure of 52,201 was from the 1998 census.
During the 2012 insurgency, the MNLA declared Gao as the capital of the independent nation of Azawad, but later lost control to Islamist militias.
Answer: True
During the 2012 insurgency, the MNLA declared the independent nation of Azawad and named Gao as its capital before losing control to Islamist militias.
The 2017 Gao bombing was the deadliest terrorist attack in Malian history, killing 77 people.
Answer: True
The 2017 Gao bombing, which killed 77 people, is recorded as the deadliest terrorist attack in the history of Mali.
The population of Gao primarily speaks Bambara, with other ethnic groups also present.
Answer: False
The primary language spoken by the population of Gao is Koyraboro Senni, a Songhay language, not Bambara.
What was the population of Gao's urban commune according to the 2009 census?
Answer: 86,633
Which groups captured Gao from Malian government forces in 2012?
Answer: National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad (MNLA) and Ansar Dine
What symbolic act did the MNLA perform in Gao after the 2012 rebellion?
Answer: They renamed the governor's building the Palace of Azawad and flew the Azawad flag.
When was Gao recaptured by French and Malian forces from Islamist militias?
Answer: January 2013
What happened to Gao journalist Kader Toure in January 2013?
Answer: He was killed after being suspected of working for foreign news services.
What type of helicopter crashed near Gao in March 2015, resulting in the deaths of both pilots?
Answer: A United Nations AH-64 helicopter
What is the primary language spoken by the population of Gao?
Answer: Koyraboro Senni
Which cultural event was celebrated in Gao in February 2007?
Answer: The Festival of Songhay Arts and Cultures
Which of the following is NOT listed as a notable attraction in Gao?
Answer: The Great Mosque of Djenné
Which two international cities are twinned with Gao?
Answer: Thionville, France and Berkeley, California, United States
Archaeological evidence, such as pottery, suggests Gao was integrated into both local and broader interregional economic networks.
Answer: True
Archaeological findings, particularly pottery, confirm that Gao was integrated into both local and broader interregional economic networks.
Gao-Saney was occupied by approximately 700 CE and functioned as a center for manufacturing, iron smelting, and trade.
Answer: True
Archaeological evidence indicates that the site of Gao-Saney was occupied by approximately 700 CE and served as a center for manufacturing and trade.
Archaeological evidence suggests Gao Ancien was located within the modern town, while Gao-Saney was about 4 kilometers to the east.
Answer: True
Archaeological findings confirm the existence of two settlements on the eastern bank: Gao Ancien, within the modern town, and Gao-Saney, an archaeological site approximately 4 kilometers to the east.
The Tomb of Askia in Gao is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that was inscribed in 2012.
Answer: False
The Tomb of Askia was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004. It was placed on the list of World Heritage in Danger in 2012.
Excavations in Gao Saney revealed a royal cemetery with epitaphs and tombstones dating back to 1104.
Answer: True
Excavations at Gao Saney uncovered a royal cemetery with epitaphs and tombstones, some of which date back to 1104.
Old Gao was constructed after Gao Saney and did not coexist with it.
Answer: False
Historical and archaeological evidence indicates that Old Gao coexisted with Gao Saney and was an integral part of the city's early urban structure.
The mosque found in Old Gao, dating from the late twelfth to fourteenth centuries, is considered one of the oldest excavated in West Africa.
Answer: True
The mosque excavated in Old Gao, dating from the late twelfth to fourteenth centuries, is considered one of the oldest ever excavated in West Africa.
The mosque tomb of Askia Muhammad features a distinctive 12-meter-high minaret decorated with toron.
Answer: True
The mosque tomb of Askia Muhammad is noted for its distinctive 12-meter-high minaret, decorated with toron, which stood in the center of its courtyard.
What is a common architectural characteristic of mosques in the Niger Bend and pre-Saharan steppe region?
Answer: A smooth main facade without vertical elements
What was discovered during excavations in Gao Saney, the oldest settlement?
Answer: A royal cemetery with epitaphs and tombstones dating back to 1104.
What unique feature of the mosque excavated in Old Gao suggests its possible use by early Muslim communities like Ismailis or Ibadis?
Answer: The absence of a mihrab niche.
What is the historical significance of the mosque found in Old Gao?
Answer: It is considered one of the oldest mosques excavated in West Africa to date.