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|  | MALI COUNTRY SNAPSHOT AND INTERESTING FACTS | Mali is a landlocked republic, sharing borders with Mauritania, Algeria, Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, Guinea, Niger and Senegal. It is a vast land of flat plains fed by two major rivers, the Senegal on its western edge and the great River Niger. On its journey north the Niger converges with the River Bani, and forms a rich inland delta, the marshlands of the Macina, stretching for some 450km (280 miles) along the river's length, in some places 200km (124 miles) wide. The central part of the country is arid grazing land, called the Sahel, which has suffered great drought. At Timbuktu the Niger reaches the desert and here it turns first to the east, then to the southeast at Bourem, where it heads for the ocean. In the desert, near the Algerian and Niger borders in the northeast, the Adrar des Iforas massif rises 800m (2625ft). The north of the country is true desert except for the few oases along the ancient trans-Sahara camel routes. Tuaregs still live around these oases and camel routes. Further south live the Peulh cattle-raising nomads. The majority of the population lives in the savannah region in the south. The peoples of this region comprise Songhai, Malinke, Senoufou, Dogon and the Bambara (the largest ethnic group). The Sudanese Republic and Senegal became independent of France in 1960 as the Mali Federation. When Senegal withdrew after only a few months, what formerly made up the Sudanese Republic was renamed Mali. Rule by dictatorship was brought to a close in 1991 with a transitional government and in 1992 when Mali's first democratic presidential election was held. After his reelection in 1997, President Alpha KONARE continued to push through political and economic reforms and to fight corruption. In keeping with Mali's two-term constitutional limit, he stepped down in 2002 and was succeeded by Amadou TOURE. Mali is among the poorest countries in the world, with 65% of its land area desert or semidesert and with a highly unequal distribution of income. Economic activity is largely confined to the riverine area irrigated by the Niger. About 10% of the population is nomadic and some 80% of the labor force is engaged in farming and fishing. Industrial activity is concentrated on processing farm commodities. Mali is heavily dependent on foreign aid and vulnerable to fluctuations in world prices for cotton, its main export, along with gold. The government has continued its successful implementation of an IMF-recommended structural adjustment program that is helping the economy grow, diversify, and attract foreign investment. Mali's adherence to economic reform and the 50% devaluation of the African franc in January 1994 have pushed up economic growth to a sturdy 5% average in 1996-2004. Worker remittances and external trade routes have been jeopardized by continued unrest in neighboring Cote d'Ivoire. | Open here a detailed map in a new window. Map Server Travel-Island.com. | 
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| | | RESORTS AND EXCURSIONS | Bamako
The capital is a modern town and the educational and cultural centre of Mali. The main places of interest are the markets, the Botanical Gardens, the Musée National, the zoo and the craft centre 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 Mosquée, 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 250BC. The town quickly developed into a market centre and important link in the trans-Saharan gold trade. In the 15th and 16th centuries, it became one of the spiritual centres 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 centre 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 centre, 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 200-km (80-mile) long Bandiagara escarpement. Although most 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 centre of a lucrative trade in salt and gold, straddling the trans-Saharan caravan routes, as well as being a great centre 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.
Elsewhere
Another ancient city which had its heyday in the 15th century is Gao. Gao houses the mosque of Kankan Moussa and the tombs of the Askia Dynasty. There are also two excellent markets. The city has recently undergone much urban development. San and Ségou are both interesting towns. The National Park of La Boucle de Baoule contains an array of southern Sahelian species of wildlife, including giraffe, leopard, lion, elephant, buffalo and hippo. | | PASSPORT AND VISA APPLICATION Furthermore, in order to get into many countries on the stay abroad you will require a visa of some type, even if you are just visiting. This is usually an insert, stamp or sticker which is placed in your passport and the duration of its validity varies from place to place. If you do intend to work or study in the country to which you are traveling, however, you should organize your visa even further in advance as this can take longer to process.
As well as your passport you should ensure that you have at least one other form of identification with you. This may be a driver’s license, birth certificate or any other form of ID which is acceptable worldwide. As with passports, bring at least two copies of all forms of identification in case of loss or theft.
Help to Passport and Visa Application Forms. How to find the right one(s)?
A passport is issued to you by your home country as proof of citizenship. Visas are stamped into your passport to allow you entry into other countries. Although there are exceptions, you are usually required to display your passport when entering or leaving a country. Once you arrive at your destination, carry a photocopy of your passport and keep the original in a safe place.
A visa is an endorsement or stamp entered into your passport by a foreign government. It allows you to enter that country for a specific reason and period of time. Start applying for visas as soon as your passport is available so that all your documentation is completed well before your departure date. To receive a visa you need to send your passport to an embassy or consulate of the country you want to visit. Most countries have embassies and consulates worldwide, and travel agents can usually tell you where the nearest ones are located. Keep in mind that your passport may be tied up for days or weeks until the paperwork is done, so plan accordingly. In addition, some countries require proof of yellow fever vaccination before they will issue you a visa. The amount of time spent mailing your passport to the various agencies involved can really add up if you are visiting several countries. Plan ahead if possible. If you only have a few weeks to prepare, a commercial visa service can often speed up the process. |
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