Explorer · 1304 – 1369
Ibn Battuta
Travelled farther than any known traveller of his age across the Islamic world and beyond, and recorded his experiences in the Rihla, a vivid first-hand chronicle of 14th-century societies from West Africa to China.
Discoveries
- Documented the peoples, rulers and customs of dozens of lands from West Africa to China.
- Provided one of the earliest detailed outside accounts of the Mali Empire.
Impact Analysis
Ibn Battuta's Rihla offers an unmatched panorama of the 14th-century Islamic world, prized by historians for its sweep and its eye for daily life.
Historical influence score: 78/100