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Abu Hamid al-Gharnati

Type Figure Region Maghreb Time 1080–1170 Also known as Abu Hamid al-Gharnati

Granada-born traveler and geographer who journeyed from North Africa and Egypt to Central Asia and reportedly China, a key 12th-century source.

Timeline

  1. 1080–1110Granada · GranadaBorn in Granada, he received an Islamic religious and scholarly education and later resolved to travel widely and observe the lands and customs of the world.
  2. c. 1110–1130Cairo · CairoSetting out from al-Andalus, he traversed the Maghreb, Egypt, Syria, Iraq, and other lands, recording his observations of cities, trade routes, and products.
  3. c. 1130–1150Samarkand · SamarkandContinuing eastward through Persia and Central Asia, he reached Samarkand and other places and, according to his account, reached China, observing local customs and trade.
  4. c. 1150–1170Damascus · SyriaReturning to West Asia, he settled in Damascus, organized his travel notes, and wrote accounts describing the geography, products, and trade routes of lands across Eurasia until his death.

Sources