Largest Cities in Mali

Facts about Mali

Official languages: French, Bambara
Capital: Bamako
Area: 1,240,000 km²
Population: 13.8 million residents
Population density: 11.13 residents per km²
Currency: XOF
Internet TLD: .ml
ISO codes: ML, MLI , 466
The dialing code for Mali is +223

Flag of Mali

The flag of Mali, which was adopted in 1961, is composed of a vertical tricolor consisting of a green, yellow and red stripe. The colors have classic pan-African symbolism – green represents forests and the fertility of the land, yellow represents the local bright sun and red is reminiscent of the blood shed in the fight for freedom. Mali originally formed a federation with Senegal and also shared a flag with it, which, compared to today’s form, also has a black figure called “kanaga” placed in the middle of the yellow stripe. However, Senegal withdrew from the federation and replaced the figure with a star. Even Mali did not stick with this form of the flag and “kanaga” was dropped from the flag. The majority of Mali’s population is Muslim and it is inadmissible for them to depict a human figure on the flag.

Mali (officially the Republic of Mali) is a landlocked country in West Africa. See Mali Location on World Map. Its capital is called Bamako. Most of the population lives in the southern part of the country, which is traversed by the two rivers Niger and Senegal. The north extends deep into the Sahara and is extremely sparsely populated.

Mali is a developing country whose economy is mainly based on agriculture, mining and the export of raw materials and is heavily dependent on development aid. The main industries are agriculture, fishing and, increasingly, mining. The most important mineral resources include gold, of which Mali is the third largest producer in Africa, and salt. Around half of the population lives below the poverty line. The country ranks lower in the Human Development Index.

Mali has a long tradition in cultural areas. Especially in music, dance, literature and the fine arts, it leads an independent cultural life that is known far beyond its borders.

In the past there have been repeated terrorist attacks in Mali that also affected foreigners. Further attacks are possible anywhere in Mali at any time. Attacks and military fighting occur particularly in northern Mali. An increase in violent crime can be observed, even if this has so far only affected a few foreigners. Rebels and terrorist groups are active throughout the north of the country, around the Niger River northeast of Mopti and along the southern and eastern border between Mauritania and Mali.

Travelers are therefore advised to behave particularly cautiously, avoid crowds and strictly follow the instructions of the local security forces.

Biggest Cities of Mali by Population

The largest city in Mali is the capital, Bamako. Located on the Niger River, Bamako has a population of over 2 million people and is known for its vibrant markets and lively nightlife. Tourists come to explore attractions like National Museum which features artifacts from Mali’s past cultures; Grand Mosque which was built in 15th century; and Koulouba Palace which serves as the official residence of the President of Mali.

Sikasso is another large city in Mali located in southern part of the country. It has a population of around 250,000 people and serves as an important trading hub for agricultural products such as cotton, millet, sorghum and peanuts. Sikasso also features several tourist attractions like Grand Mosque which was built by King Seku Amadu in 18th century; Kourouba Falls which offer stunning views of surrounding landscape; and Music Museum which houses traditional instruments used by local musicians.

Kayes is the third-largest city in Mali with a population of around 200,000 people. It boasts some interesting tourist attractions like Kayes Railway Station which was built during French colonial era; Fort Lamy which features an old French fort dating back to 19th century; and Mount Balanfadji Nature Reserve where visitors can observe wildlife such as hippos, crocodiles, antelopes and monkeys.

Mali: Bamako

According to Abbreviation Finder, the largest city in Mali and also the capital of the country is Bamako. Bamako has 1.8 million inhabitants. It has been growing for years. Bamako is located in the southwest of Mali on the Niger.

Countries neighboring Mali

• Burkina Faso
• Ivory Coast
• Algeria
• Guinea
• Mauritania
• Niger
• Senegal