Mali Culture, Map, Flag, Tourist Places

Mali, the largest country in West Africa, is bordered by seven other states: Algeria lies to the north and northeast, Niger to the east, Burkina Faso to the southeast and, with the Ivory Coast, to the south. On the west are Senegal and Mauritania.

Mali is shaped a bit like a butterfly, leaning to the northwest, with a much smaller left than right wing. The larger northwestern region of the country, which extends into the Sahara, is almost entirely arid desert or semidesert. In the central region, known as the Sahel, life follows the Niger River's annual flood cycle, with high water between August and November. In the southwestern area, rainfall and rivers are more plentiful, and this region is marginally more lush than the rest of the country. Mali's single most important geographic feature is undoubtedly the great Niger River, which traverses both the Sahel and the southeastern section of the country. The Niger, like the Nile, is both a critical source of sustenance and a major transportation artery--and in this latter capacity it is an excellent venue for boat travel.

Although most of Mali experiences only negligible rainfall, the 'rainy' season in the south extends from June through September.

Mali's population comprises a number of different peoples, including the Bambara (who are the largest single segment), the Songhai, Mandinka, Senoufo, Fula, and Dogon. The last of these groups, the Dogon, are world-renowned for their artwork, and a visit to their traditional cliffside villages is a fascinating experience. The majority of Mali's people are Muslim, and the official language is French. Bambara, however, is the country's true lingua franca.

Best time to visit Mali is November, before the heat hits in March and after the wet humid season. Trips down the Niger are also a good bet in November as the river is usually high enough for passenger boats to get through. By December and January water levels are iffy and boat trips may be more of a hop from one sandbank to another if not cancelled altogether. November, though, is also the high tourist season so if you prefer to sacrifice a bit of comfort for peace and quiet, you could go in December for the crossing of the cattle at Diafarabé. In fact anytime from October through to February is a reasonable time to go, but trying to get around Mali in the hot season from March to May is strictly for masochists.

Bamako, the capital, is a modern town and the educational and cultural center of Mali. The main places of interest in Bamako are the markets, the Botanical Gardens, the Musée National, the zoo and the craft center at the Maison des Artisans.

Known as the ‘Jewel of the Niger’, Djenné has a beautiful mosque, the Grande Mosquée, and it is one of the oldest trading towns along the trans-Saharan caravan routes. The town quickly developed into a market center and important link in the trans-Saharan gold trade.

Mopti is center of Mali’s tourist industry & located at the confluence of the Bani and the Niger and is built on three islands joined by dykes. There is another fine mosque here. The market in the town center, Marché des Souvenirs, and the area surrounding the port are also worth visiting.

Southeast of Mopti is the Bandiagara country, peopled by the Dogons, whose ancient beliefs have remained largely untouched by Islam. Visitors should treat villagers with respect.

Timbuktu is a name that has passed into English vernacular as a byword for inaccessibility and remoteness. Timbuktu was the center of a lucrative trade in salt and gold, straddling the trans-Saharan caravan routes, as well as being a great center of Islamic learning. Much of this ancient city is in decay, but it is the site of many beautiful mosques (Djingerebur, Sankore and Sidi Yahaya) & tombs, some dating back to the 14th century.

Another ancient city which had its heyday in the 15th century is Gao. Gao houses the mosque of Kankan Moussa and the tombs of the Askia Dynasty. There are also two excellent markets. The city has recently undergone much urban development. San and Ségou are both interesting towns. The National Park of La Boucle de Baoule contains an array of southern Sahelian species of wildlife, including giraffe, leopard, lion, elephant, buffalo and hippo.