Mali is a landlocked nation in Western Africa. Mali is the seventh largest country in Africa, bordering Algeria on the north, Niger on the east, Burkina Faso and the Côte d'Ivoire on the south, Guinea on the south-west, and Senegal and Mauritania on the west.

Consisting of eight regions, Mali's borders on the north reach deep into the middle of the Sahara, while the country's southern region, where the majority of inhabitants live, features the Niger and Senegal rivers. The country's economic structure centers on agriculture and fishing. Some of Mali's natural resources include gold, uranium, and salt. Mali is considered to be one of the poorest nations in the world. Present-day Mali was once part of three West African empires that controlled trans-Saharan trade: the Ghana Empire, the Mali Empire (from which Mali is named), and the Songhai Empire. In the late 1800s, Mali fell under French control, becoming part of French Sudan. Mali gained independence in 1959 with Senegal, as the Mali Federation in 1959. A year later, the Mali Federation became the independent nation of Mali in 1960. After a long period of one-party rule, a 1991 coup led to the writing of a new constitution and the establishment of Mali as a democratic, multi-party state.

With its giant mud-built mosques, villages carved into cliff-sides and massive camel caravans traversing the desert, Mali makes for a stunningly surreal destination.

Rapidly developing, particularly in the main cities, tourists can find high standards of accommodation and cuisine on offer. Intriguing and colorful markets, vast deserts capes and ancient tombs and relics are all waiting to be discovered. All of this makes it hard to believe Mali is one of the world's poorest countries. Once an overseas territory of France, Mali gained independence in 1960, and today it is one of the most politically and socially stable countries in Africa.

Official Languages: French

Demonym: Malian

Currency: CFA franc (XOF)

Time Zone: GMT (UTC+0)

Internet TLD: .ml

Calling Code: +223

VISA FORMALITIES FOR MALI

A valid passport is required by all visitors except for certain West African countries, where identity cards will suffice.

Americans: US nationals require a passport and a visa. Also required is a return air ticket to the US, or confirmed tickets and documents for an onward journey, though this is rarely enforced.

UK nationals: UK nationals require a passport and a visa. Also required is a return air ticket to the UK, or confirmed tickets and documents for an onward journey, though this is rarely enforced.

Canadians: Canadians require a passport and a visa. Also required is a return air ticket to Canada, or confirmed tickets and documents for an onward journey, though this is rarely enforced.

Australians: Australians require a passport and a visa. Also required is a return air ticket to Australia, or confirmed tickets and documents for an onward journey, though this is rarely enforced.

South Africans: South Africans require a passport and a visa. Also required is a return air ticket to South Africa, or confirmed tickets and documents for an onward journey, though this is rarely enforced.

Irish nationals: Irish nationals require a passport and a visa. Also required is a return air ticket to Ireland, or confirmed tickets and documents for an onward journey, though this is rarely enforced.

New Zealanders: New Zealand nationals require a passport and a visa. Also required is a return air ticket to New Zealand, or confirmed tickets and documents for an onward journey, though this is rarely enforced.

TRAVEL ATTRACTIONS AND THINGS TO DO AT MALI:

Excursions Bamako

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

Djenné

Known as the ‘Jewel of the Niger’, Djenné was founded in 1250. It has a beautiful mosque, the Grande Mosque, and it is one of the oldest trading towns along the trans-Saharan caravan routes. Old Djenné is located about 5km (3 miles) from Djenné and was founded around 250 BC. The town quickly developed into a market center and important link in the trans-Saharan gold trade. In the 15th and 16th centuries, it became one of the spiritual centers for the dissemination of Islam. Nearly 2000 of its traditional houses, built on hillocks (toguere) and adapted to the seasonal floods, have survived. Old Djenné is today listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

Mopti

The center of Mali’s tourist industry, Mopti is 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.

Bandiagara

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. The Cliffs of Bandiagara have been listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. The Dogon people are believed to have been the original inhabitants of the Niger River valley and, for thousands of years, inhabited villages cut into the cliffs of the 200km- (80mile-) long Bandiagara escarpment. Although most of the Dogons have now relocated to the plains, the ancient villages on the cliffs are still standing.

Timbuktu

Timbuktu is a name that has passed into English vernacular as a byword for inaccessibility and remoteness. It is, however, neither of these things owing to the magnificent camel caravans (some of them comprising over 3000 animals) which arrive every year from the Taoudenni salt mines to distribute their produce throughout the Sahel. By the 15th century, 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 for example) and tombs, some dating back to the 14th century.

Trekking

A good area for trekking is the Bandiagara escarpment in the Dogon country, with Bandiagara, Bankass and Mopti being the main starting points for trekking trips. Guides are available and recommended; travelers should check that guides have an official identification card.

CLIMATE MALI

Conditions are hot and dry in the northern Sahara zone, north of the Niger River, and hot and humid in the subtropical south of Mali. Rainfall varies throughout the country, varying from a virtual absence of rain in the desert north to a rainy season lasting for about five months from June to October in the south. The middle section of the country experiences rainfall between June and August. The dry season is from November to May, with cooler temperatures between November and February that becomes cold at night in the north. The most uncomfortable time to visit is from April to June, with extreme heat, and in December when the hot, dry Harmattan wind blows. Temperatures average 86°F (30°C).