Koulikoro Region

Koulikoro Region (Bambara: ߞߎߟߌߞߏߙߏ ߘߌߣߋߖߊ tr. Kulikoro Dineja) is a region in western Mali. It is the second administrative area of Mali and covers an area of 43,290 km² (16,710 sq mi). Its capital city is Koulikoro.

Koulikoro Region
Region
Location within Mali
Interactive map of Koulikoro Region
Coordinates: 13°56′41″N 7°37′28″W
Country	Mali
Capital	Koulikoro
Government
• Governor	Lamine Kapory Sanogo
Area
• Total	43,290 km2 (16,710 sq mi)
Population  (2023)
• Total	2,224,418
• Density	51.38/km2 (133.1/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC±0 (UTC)
HDI (2017)	0.437 low · 2nd

Map of Koulikoro Region (borders before 2023).

Geography

The region of Koulikoro is bordered by the regions of Nara and Nioro on the north, the region of Kita on the west, by Guinea and the region of Sikasso on the south, and by the regions of Ségou, Bougouni and Dioïla to the east. In 2023 the Koulikoro Region had a population of 2,224,418. These were mainly Bambaras, Malinkés, Soninkes and Somono around the Niger River.

The region is irrigated by several rivers, including the Niger, Baoulé, Sankarani, Baogé, Bani and Bafing. The climate of the region's south has the high rainfall typical of the Sudan, while north of the Kita-Bamako axis, it tends to a Sahelian aridity.

The largest cities of the region are Kati, Koulikoro, Kolokani, and Banamba; however the most populous commune is Kalabancoro. The Boucle du Baoulé National Park and the natural reserves of Fina, Kongossambougou and Badinko shelter a diversity of wildlife.

History

The region of Koulikoro is the seat of several great empires which followed one another in Mali: the Ghana Empire, the Sosso Empire and the Mali Empire.

Culture

The land of the Mandé is located in this area. It is the cradle of the Empire of Mali, and known for preserving its traditional culture, with its griots and its hunters. Like much of Mali, the area is strongly Islamized, but the practices of animists remain very present in the villages. Bambara serves as the area's most common language.

Koulikoro is famous for its traditional puppet theater, showcased in many festivals such as in the village of Diarabougou. Several musicians are natives of the region, including Salif Keita and Rokia Traoré.

Transport and economy

Koulikoro is the terminus of the Dakar-Niger railway. It is also an important port on the Niger River which makes it possible to serve the towns of Ségou, Mopti, Tombouctou, and Gao. The area is served by the airport of Bamako-sénou.

Agriculture remains the dominant economic activity, although several industries are present in the district, such as the Hydroelectric dam of Sélingué, gold-bearing industries around Kangaba, and the cotton production site in Fana, Mali's second largest.

Administrative subdivisions

As of 2012 the Koulikoro Region is divided into eight cercles, encompassing 29 arrondissements, 61 communes, and 1,218 villages.

The eight cercles are:

• Koulikoro Cercle
• Banamba Cercle
• Kangaba Cercle
• Kati Cercle
• Kolokani Cercle
• Nyamina Cercle
• Siby Cercle
• Néguéla Cercle

Mali's capital (Bamako) is located in the heart of the region, but forms a separate administrative entity called the Bamako Capital District; it is entirely surrounded by Kati Cercle.

See also

• Regions of Mali
• Cercles of Mali

External links

• Synthèsis des 106 Plans Communaux de Securité Alimentaire de la Région de Koulikoro 2009-2013 (PDF) (in French), Commissariat à la Sécurité Alimentaire, République du Mali, USAID-Mali, 2009.