Bamako, estimated population over 1 million people, is the both the capital and an important port of Mali. It lies on the upper Niger River, in the southwest of the country.
Bamako is the nation's administrative centre, a junction on the Dakar-Niger RR and a major regional trade centre.
In the 18th century Bamako was a village of several hundred households with the main industries being fishing and agriculture.
France colonized Bamako in the 19th century and in 1905 the city became the capital of French Sudan.
In 1960, when Mali gained its independence from France, Bamako became the capital of the country. Since then the city has been experiencing a radical urbanization.
Today Bamako is a charming city, with a botanical and zoological park and many decorative gardens.
Bamako's educational institutions include schools of administration, medicine, and engineering.
The city also has an international airport.

Djenne is a historical city in Mali. Situated in the Niger Delta, it has an ethnically diverse population of about 12,000 inhabitants.

Niono is located in the Segou region of Mali and can be easily accessed through waterways. Reaching the town by road might be a ...