Geography of Mali – The Ultimate Free Guide 2021
- Mali is a landlocked country in West Africa. Mali is the eighth-largest country in Africa.
- The sovereign state of Mali consists of eight regions and its borders on the north reach deep into the middle of the Sahara Desert.
- The country’s economy centres on agriculture and mining.
- Geologically, Mali consists mostly of vast flatlands of granite and shale covered by sandstone and alluvial quartz
Geography of Mali
Political Map of Mali

Region:
Western Africa
Area:
1,240,192 km2
Capital:
Bamako
Population:
20,250,833
Bordering Countries:
- On the north by Algeria,
- On the east by Niger and Burkina Faso,
- On the south by Côte d’Ivoire and Guinea, and
- On the west by Senegal and Mauritania.
Water:
1.6%
Geographical Coordinates:
12°39′N 8°0′W
World Region or Continent:
Africa
General Terrain:
The terrain is primarily savanna in the south and flat to rolling plains or high plateau (200–500 meters in elevation) in the north.
Geographical Low Point:
Senegal River (23 m)
Geographical High Point:
Hombori Tondo (1155 m).
Climate:
- Mali is one of the hottest countries in the world. The thermal equator, which matches the hottest spots year-round on the planet based on the mean daily annual temperature, crosses the country.
- Most of Mali receives negligible rainfall and droughts are very frequent.
- Hot and dry February to June;
- Rainy, humid, and mild June to November;
- Cool and dry November to February
Major cities:
- Bamako
- Sikasso
- Kalabancoro
- Koutiala
- Segou
- Kayes
- Kati
- Mopti
- Niono
- Gao
Major Land forms:
- Mali is generally flat.
- The Fouta Djallon highlands of the southwest. The Bandiagara plateau and escarpment of the southeast. The Hombori Mountains of the far southeast.
Major Rivers and Lakes:
Major Rivers:
- Falémé River.
- Karakoro River.
- Kolinbiné River.
- Sanaba River.
- Bafing River.
- Bakoy River.
- Baoulé River.
- Badinko River.
- Kokoro River.
Major Lakes:
- Lake Afou
- Lake Al Kamsi
- Lake Arala
- Lake Arandjéou
- Lake Arkaou
- Lake Arodout
- Lake Arona
- Lake Asi Taba
- Lake Bab el Eri
- Lake Bambiré
- Lake Bango
- Lake Baria
- Lake Bella
- Lake Bella Bambi
- Lake Bissoko
- Lake Bongoe
- Lake Bouari
- Lake Bouboutoussembou
- Lake Boudyou
- Lake Bouldi
- Lake Bouncham
- Lake Caytadié
- Lake Chamou
- Lake Chétégoula
- Lake Chibon
- Lake Dao
- Lake Daouat
- Lake Dara
- Lake Dargata
- Lake Daye
- Lake Dayé Dyesse
- Lake Débo
- Lake Débaré
- Lake Diataro
- Lake Dibanti
- Lake Didyéri
- Lake Dienko
- Lake Dingoganyé
- Lake Diori
- Lake Dioulgoul
- Lake Domino Tossokel
- Lake Doro Mare
- Lake Faguibine
- Lake Férem
- Lake Féto Maraboulé
- Lake Fobangou
- Lake Fonderé
- Lake Foroudougou
- Lake Gabi
- Lake Galigel
- Lake Galiya
- Lake Garia
- Lake Gassi
- Lake Gomaga
- Lake Gossi
- Lake Goua
- Lake Gougol
- Lake Gounako
- Lake Goundaka
- Lake Goussou
- Lake Guéou
- Lake I-n-Daroua
- Lake I-n-Tetouft
- Lake Ioussa
- Lake Kabara
- Lake Kâde
- Lake Kamne
- Lake Kan
- Lake Kandéfougou
- Lake Kangara
- Lake KanieKobo
- Lake Kanou
- Lake Karangara
- Lake Karsa
- Lake Kati
- Lake Koboro
- Lake Koguié
- Lake Kokorourou
- Lake Kokoungari
- Lake Kondiré
- Lake Kossokosso
- Lake Kouma
- Lake Koumana
- Lake Kounaguel
- Lake Fatakara
- Lake Fatiha
Natural Resources:
- Gold,
- Phosphates,
- Kaolin,
- Salt,
- Limestone,
- Uranium, and
- Hydropower
Major Geographical Features:
Biomes & Ecosystems:
- The territory encompasses three natural zones: the southern cultivated Sudanese zone, central semi-desert Sahelian zone, and northern desert Saharan zone. The terrain is primarily savanna in the south and flat to rolling plains or high plateau in the north.
Oceans:
Atlantic Ocean
Islands:
Mali Island
Mountain Ranges:
- Adrar des Ifoghas
- Mount Hombori
- Manding Mountains
- Mount Tenakourou
Regions of Mali:
- Kayes
- Koulikoro
- Bamako
- Sikasso
- Ségou
- Mopti
- Tombouctou
- Gao
- Kidal
- Taoudénit
- Ménaka
Administrative Map of Mali

Mali Location on World Map

See Also: