Bamako

Capital district

Bamako is the capital of Mali. In the suburb Koulouba is the government district of Mali. The city lies on the River Niger.

Administrative divisions

The district Bamako is divided into six municipalities Commune I, II Commune, Commune III, IV commune, commune V and VI commune.

Population

Bamako has 1,809,106 inhabitants according to the results of the census conducted in 2009.

History

Owes its origin to an old prophecy Bamako. According to this, the family of Niaré should create a great dynasty. Following the prophecy drew the Niaré to the banks of the river, where they founded the late 16th century the city. It became a trading center and had already before the conquest by French troops in 1883 about 600 residents. In 1908 it became the capital of the French province Upper Senegal and Niger. After gaining independence from France (1960 ) they made it the capital of the State of Mali, which formed a one-party state. In 1968, General Moussa Traoré coup to power. 1987 Bamako was the meeting of a WHO conference, the health policy in Africa changed sustained under the name Bamako Initiative. In 1991, after riots for democratic reforms and the adoption of a constitution (see coup in Mali 1991). 1992 Alpha Oumar Konaré was elected president. The country has a democratic constitution since 1992. Head of state was since June 8, 2002, President Amadou Toumani Touré, initially for five years directly elected and re-elected on 29 April 2007. Following the resignation of Prime Minister Modibo Sidibé on 30 March 2011, with the non-party Cissé Mariam Sidibé Kaïdama first female head of government in Mali.

Economy and Transport

As a commercial and industrial center (textile industry) Bamako is the most important business location in Mali. From Bamako from the railway line Dakar - Niger via Kita, Mahina, Kayes in the port city of Dakar in Senegal. Furthermore, the city via the airport Bamako accessible.

Culture

The Musée National du Mali archaeological and ethnological collections are displayed. The collection of the Bibliothèque nationale du Mali includes about 60,000 works.

Every two years there is the photography exhibition Rencontres africaines de la photographie. Since 2003, the music festival Trophée de la musique au Mali is annually held in Bamako. In the course of the best musicians in Mali are awarded the Tamanis.

Sports

Among the most successful teams in the country with numerous national titles include football clubs Djoliba AC, Stade Malien and AS Real Bamako. When used, among other venues opened in 2001, and 50,000 -seat Stade du 26 Mars and the Stade Modibo Keïta with 35,000 seats. In both stages of the Africa Cup 2002 Games were held.

In the Paris-Dakar Rally Bamako was a stage stop several times.