Mali, officially the Republic of Mali, is a landlocked country in West Africa. Mali is the eighth-largest country in Africa, with an area of just over 1,240,000 square kilometres (480,000 sq mi). The population of Mali is 18 million. 67% of its population was estimated to be under the age of 25 in 2017. Its capital is Bamako. The sovereign state of Mali consists of eight regions and its borders on the north reach deep into the middle of the Sahara Desert, while the country's southern part, where the majority of inhabitants live, features the Niger and Senegal rivers. The country's economy centers on agriculture and mining. Some of Mali's prominent natural resources include gold, being the third largest producer of gold in the African continent, and salt.
Since 2016, Mali has been divided into ten regions and one capital district. A reorganization of the country from eight to nineteen regions was passed into law in 2012, but of the new regions, only Taoudénit and Ménaka have begun to be implemented. Each of the regions bears the name of its capital. The regions are divided into 56 cercles. The cercles and the capital district are divided into 703 communes.
Sikasso Region is the southern-most region of Mali. The region's capital city, Sikasso, is the country's second-largest city and is growing rapidly due to people fleeing the violence in Côte d'Ivoire to the south. Major ethnic groups include the Senoufo, known for masks and reverence for animals, the Samago, known for being Mali's best farmers, and the main ethnic group in Mali, the Bambara people. The local economy is based on farming and the Sikasso, which receives more rain than any other Malian region, is known for its fruits and vegetables.
A Commune is the third level administrative unit in Mali. Mali is divided into eight regions and one capital district (Bamako). These subdivisions bear the name of their principal city. The regions are divided into 49 Cercles. The Cercles and the district are divided into 703 Communes, with 36 Urban Communes and 667 Rural Communes, while some larger Cercles still contain Arrondissements above the Commune level, these are organisational areas with no independent power or office. Rural Communes are subdivided in Villages, while Urban Communes are subdivided into Quartier. Communes usually bear the name of their principal town. The capital, Bamako, consists of six Urban Communes. There were initially 701 communes until the Law No. 01-043 of 7 June 2001 created two new Rural Communes in the desert region in the north east of the country: Alata, Ménaka Cercle in the Gao Region and Intadjedite, Tin-Essako Cercle in the Kidal Region.
Faraba is a village and rural commune in the Cercle of Kéniéba in the Kayes Region of south-western Mali. The commune includes 12 villages and in the 2009 census had a population of 8,563.
Kadiolo Cercle is an administrative subdivision of the Sikasso Region of southern Mali. The administrative center (chef-lieu) is the town of Kadiolo.
Kadiolo is a town, rural commune and seat of the Kadiolo Cercle in the Sikasso Region of southern Mali. The town lies 85 km south of Sikasso, 13 km north of the border with the Ivory Coast and 30 km west of the border with Burkino Faso. The commune of Kadiolo covers an area of 783 square kilometers and includes the town and 19 villages. In the 2009 census it had a population of 59,932.
Dioumaténé is a village and rural commune in the Cercle of Kadiolo in the Sikasso Region of southern Mali. The commune covers an area of 225 square kilometers and includes 5 villages. In the 2009 census it had a population of 4,274. The village of Dioumaténé, the administrative center (chef-lieu) of the commune, is 16 km west of Kadiolo.
Diou is a village and rural commune in the Cercle of Kadiolo in the Sikasso Region of southern Mali. The commune covers an area of 137 square kilometers and includes 3 villages. In the 2009 census it had a population of 6,003. The village of Diou, the administrative center (chef-lieu) of the commune, is 24 km west of Kadiolo.
Konina is a small town and commune in the Cercle of Koutiala in the Sikasso Region of southern Mali. The commune covers an area of 733 square kilometers and includes 7 villages. In the 2009 census it had a population of 14,786. The village of Konina, the administrative centre (chef-lieu) of the commune, is 78 km east of Koutiala.
Dialakoro is a village and rural commune in the Cercle of Sikasso in the Sikasso Region of southern Mali. The commune covers an area of 83 square kilometers and includes four villages. In the 2009 census it had a population of 6,893. The village of Dialakoro, the chef-lieu of the commune, is 98 km northwest of Sikasso.
Dembela is a small town and rural commune in the Cercle of Sikasso in the Sikasso Region of southern Mali. The commune covers an area of 426 square kilometers and includes 11 villages. In the 2009 census it had a population of 13,061. The village of Dembela, the chef-lieu of the commune, is 88 km northwest of Sikasso.
Fama is a small town and rural commune in the Cercle of Sikasso in the Sikasso Region of southern Mali. The commune covers an area of 222 square kilometers and includes the town and five villages. In the 2009 census it had a population of 7,960. The town of Fama, the chef-lieu of the commune, is 24 km north of Sikasso.
Koury is a small town and rural commune in the Cercle of Yorosso in the Sikasso Region of southern Mali. The commune covers an area of 712 square kilometers and includes the town and 16 villages. In the 2009 census it had a population of 54,435. The town, the administrative center (chef-lieu) of the commune, is 19 km south of Yorosso on the main road linking Koutiala in Mali with the town of Bobo-Dioulasso in Burkina Faso.
Fakolo is a commune in the Cercle of Koutiala in the Sikasso Region of southern Mali. The commune covers an area of 201 square kilometers and includes 6 villages. In the 2009 census it had a population of 13,130. The village of Zansoni, the administrative centre (chef-lieu) of the commune, is 35 km northwest of Koutiala.
Diédougou is a commune in the Cercle of Koutiala in the Sikasso Region of southern Mali. The commune includes 4 villages and covers an area of 147 square kilometers. In the 2009 census it had a population of 4,449. The administrative centre (chef-lieu) is the village of Kouwo which lies 67 km west of Koutiala.
Koningué is a commune in the Cercle of Koutiala in the Sikasso Region of southern Mali. The commune covers an area of 255 square kilometers and includes 4 settlements. In the 2009 census it had a population of 15,943. The small town of Sougoumba, the administrative centre (chef-lieu) of the commune, is about 40 km southeast of Koutiala.
Fagui is a commune in the Cercle of Koutiala in the Sikasso Region of southern Mali. The commune covers an area of 504 square kilometers and includes 9 villages. In the 2009 census it had a population of 11,800. The village of Ziéna, the administrative centre (chef-lieu) of the commune, is 45 km southwest of Koutiala.
Séré Moussa Ani Samou is a rural commune in the Cercle of Yanfolila in the Sikasso Region of southern Mali. The commune covers an area of 552 square kilometers and includes 15 villages. In the 2009 census it had a population of 18,088. The village of Siékorolé, the administrative center (chef-lieu) of the commune, is 20 km northwest of Yanfolila.
Dougoutene II is a rural commune of the Cercle of Koro in the Mopti Region of Mali. The commune contains 20 villages and in the 2009 census had a population of 20,115. The commune is administered from Andiagana-Na.
