Im going to assume its because a "lame duck" session only happened when congress meets after a election.
3 physical features are the bagazi tower, ghutyr ziggurat and moutre temple
Answer: The importance of Timbuktu to African heritage is priceless due to its historic position in West Africa as a major economic city during the 15th and 16th centuries. It is also considered an important city for the spread of Islam in Africa, due to the efforts of the prestigious Koranic University of Sankore
I think it's because france, germany and other nations were competing for overseas territory in africa and other places.