Bamako Travel Guide, Mali

Bamako Travel Guide – Function and Location

Bamako is the capital city of the African state of Mali and is currently the 6th fastest growing city in the world, while being the first in development in Africa. It has a population of 1.690.000 and functions as the country’s administrative center and as the 7th largest urban agglomeration in western Africa, after Lagos, Abidjan, Kano, Ibadan, Dakar and Accra. Geographically it is located on the Niger River in the southwestern part of the country and it has a river port which significantly contributes to the city and country’s economy. The temperatures are quite high and most of the country’s surface is covered by desert, so Bamako’s role as fishing and commercial port becomes increasingly high.

Bamako Travel Guide – Economical Aspects

Bamako has a great regional importance, being a major trade and conference centre for the whole of West Africa. Like you’ll find from most Bamako travel guides, the city has major economical gains from the commercial fishing in the port as well as from the export of textiles and metal goods. Historically it functioned as a major market town and now it became important for the whole area. The city is also involved in regional development projects like the one known as the Bamako Initiative which targeted health policies in Western Africa. The rally of Dakar route always passes through Bamako.

Bamako Travel Guide – Tourist Tips

The city is known in most Bamako travel guides as “the city of the crocodile river”, the word Bamako meaning “crocodile river” in Bambara. The field on which Bamako lies is all flat, except an area which used to be a volcano and which is now home to the Presidential Palace and to the hospital. The rest of the city is in constant jeopardy of being flooded by the Niger River, which is presently crossed by three large bridges that reduce the high truck traffic in the city. There is a large and busy shopping area which belongs to an expensive and highly polluted city centre, but measures are not being taken to reduce pollution factors. There is a modern Central Business District under full and rapid development and an Administrative City that would house most ministries and state institutions. There are a few objectives that you can’t miss when visiting Bamako, among which the National Library of Mali, the Bamako Grand Mosque, the Mali National Museum and the Bamako Zoo.