About Mali:
The population of Mali is 11,995,402 (July 2007 est.), Mali is made up of the following ethnic groups: Mande 50% (Bambara, Malinke, Soninke), Peul 17%, Voltaic 12%, Songhai 6%, Tuareg and Moor 10%, other 5%. Mali covers a total area of 1.24 million sq km and is slightly less than twice the size of Texas. Mali has borders with Algeria, Burkina Faso, Guinea, Cote d'Ivoire, Mauritania, Niger and Senegal.
Mali is divided into eight regions and one capital district. The principal city of each regions bears the name of the region, respectively. The regions are divided into 49 cercles. The cercles and the capital district are divided into arrondissements. The regions are as follows: Kayes (Region 1), Koulikoro (Region 2), Sikasso (Region 3), Ségou (Region 4) Mopti (Region 5), Tombouctou (Region 6) Gao (Region 7) and Kidal (Region 8) The national capital comprises the Bamako Capital District
Host city – About Bamako
Bamako from ancient to modern – a city of contrasts
Bamako is Mali’s capital city and has a population of well over a million inhabitants. Bamako is a bustling West African city but it is spread out over a wide area with the result that there is a relative tranquillity and calm. The city is dominated by the majestic Niger River which sweeps and undulates alongside Bamako’s major landmarks. As cars speed along the neighbouring roads, people can still be seen in timeless fashion washing and laying out there clothes by the banks of the river, creating a colourful mosaic.
Bamako has all the signs of becoming of a major international tourist attraction with an array of excellent hotels, a great selection of art-deco shops and with new restaurants as well as nightclubs springing up all the time. Whilst you are in Bamako it is well worth a trip to visit the beautifully decorated Musee National as well as to Marche Rose, where you can buy anything from souvenirs at the Artisanat to traditional medicine including cures and charms.
Bamako is a city that comes alive at night and that is where you will discover its heart. Mali is famous for the quality of its musicians, you may be lucky enough to catch Salif Keita, Toumani Diabete, Habib Koite or Djelimady Tounkara performing on their home ground, a truly unforgettable experience.
For more information about tourism in Bamako and Mali, please go to http://www.officetourisme-mali.com/
Mali – a country steeped in history and tradition
For all participants coming to Mali do not miss out on discovering some of the most unique historical sites in the world. Mali is the crossroads of three great empires including Ancient Ghana, Malian and Songhai dating back as early as third century. Major attractions include: Timbuktu, one of the world’s first centres of learning and culture, Djenne, where stunning clay buildings stand like ancient skyscrapers or Mopti, an African Venice
Websites of Interest:
General information
http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mali
http://www.izf.net/IZF/Guide/Mali/Default.htm
Directories
http://www.malipages.com
http://www.maliweb.net