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Information of Mali |
Capital: Bamako
Official Language: French
Currency:Communaute Financiere Africaine Franc
The Western Africa country of Mali is a wonderland of scenic beauty synchronized with good many historical sites. The name of the country comes from the Bambara word for hippopotamus. Mali is bounded by Algeria on the north, Niger on the east, Burkina Faso and the Cote d'Ivoire on the south, Guinea on the southwest and Senegal and Mauritania on the west. Mali consists of flat plains with two major rivers the Senegal on its western edge and the great River Niger that traverses Sahel and the southeastern section of the country. For several centuries, Mali was a center of Islamic culture and prosperity. It was renowned for its trade in gold salt and other goods. Malians draw a sense of national pride from the rich heritage of the Songay and Malian Empires. A travel to Mali may offer an elegant camel safari amidst the desert region of Sahara, a magical vista of the tribal dances of the Malian tribes and a glimpse of their lifestyle and way of living.
Major Cities of Mali
Bamako, the capital, is a modern city located on the Niger River in the southwestern part of the country. Bamako is the main river port and the nation's administrative and cultural center. Other major cities of Mali are Koutiala, Mopti, Segou, Sikasso, Songhai, Mandinka, Fula and Dogon. Known as the 'Jewel of the Niger Djenne is well known for its trae along the trans-Saharan caravan routes in the early days. Old Djenne a few distances from Djenne is a heritage site with traditional old buildings built on hillocks. Mopti or the Venice of Mali is located on three islands linked by dykes at the confluence of the Bani and Niger River. Attractions in Mopti include Mopti Grand Mosque and the nearby Pays Dogon. The Dogon are well known for their mythology, their mask dances, wooden sculpture and their architecture. Timbuktu, in the western frontier of Mali is a land of legendary tales. It is said be the hometown of the notable historian Ibon Botuta. Though the city is in decay but it still preserves some of the most beautiful mosques and tombs. Timbuktu's notable tourist sites are the various mud built mosques, various terraced gardens and a water tower.
Tourist Attractions of Mali
The National Museum of Mali located in Bamako is an archeological museum display various exhibits like musical instruments, dress, and ritual objects associated with Mali's various ethnic groups. Some other tourist attractions lying in Bamako are Muso Kunda Museum, Bamako Zoo, Bamako Botanical Gardens and the Point G Hill with austere caves and rock carvings. Djinguereber Mosque in Timbuktu built of earth mixed with organic materials such as fibre, straw and wood is a famous learning center of Mali. It has three inner courts, two minarets and twenty-five rows of pillars and a prayer space. The Library of Timbuktu possesses some rare collection of ancient manuscripts detailing the various stages of West African civilization. Bandiagara the former capital of the Macina Empire is a sandy land decked with cliffs and plateaus. It is home to various ethnic groups like the Peuls, Dogons, Bambaras and Malinke. The villages in Bandiagara escarpment are declared as World Heritage sites. Gao houses the mosque of Kankan Moussa and the tombs of the Askia Dynasty. La Boucle de Baoule National Park in Gao has some special species of wild life.
Getting Around Mali
Bamako is the chief airport of Mali. A good number of international flights fly into Bamako airport. Point Afrique offers flights to places like Timbuktu or Bamako from Paris. Some domestic flights are provided by Air Mali. Railway is a popular mode of communication. There is a daily train service from Bamako to Kayes, en route to Dakar on the Senegal coast. Between Senegal and Mali express train is preferable as the roads are of poor condition. Bus is another major transport mode but the comfort level depends on the condition of the road. Bush taxis are a viable alternative for shorter trips. Apart from road and air, the other more exotic way to get into Mali is by passenger boat, floating up the Niger from Guinea. Visas are required for all visitors, except French nationals. There are a fair number of good hotels in the main cities in Mali that provides comfortable accommodation.
Precautions in Mali
Violent crime in Mali is infrequent, but petty crimes, such as pick pocketing and simple theft, are commonplace in urban areas. Passports and wallets should be protected while traveling on crowded areas. Travelers should exercise caution when traveling in any remote areas. Mali's northern regions is said to be the residing place of the Group Salafist for Prayer and Combat (GSPC), a terrorist group seeking the overthrow of the Algerian government. Sporadic banditry and random carjacking have been recorded in Mali's vast desert and borders areas. Travel overland is best via convoys with transports facilities like plane, bus and car. There are limited medical facilities in Mali. So the travelers should carry with them an adequate supply of needed medicines prior to travel.
For further details and information on Mali and its tourist destinations browse more pages of
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