Gossi is a town and rural commune in the Cercle of Gourma-Rharous of the Tombouctou Region of Mali, lying northeast of Hombori and southwest of Gao. The town is just to the west of the main RN15 highway that links Mopti with Gao. It is on a seasonal lake, Mare de Gossi, and is surrounded by nature reserves in which a large herd of elephants live. The town is the site of a large cattle market. The commune contains around 31 villages and in the 2009 census, it had a population of 24,521. Most of the population are nomadic pastoralists but there are permanent settlements around Lake Gossi, Lake Ebanguemalène and Lake Agoufou.
Hombori is a small town and rural commune in the Cercle of Douentza in the Mopti Region of Mali. The commune contains 25 villages and in the 2009 census had a population of 23,099. The town lies just to the north of the Hombori Tondo mesa on the R15 highway linking Mopti and Gao.
Kidal is a town and commune in the desert region of northern Mali. The town lies 285 km (177 mi) northeast of Gao and is the capital of the Kidal Cercle and the Kidal Region. The commune has an area of about 9,910 km2 (3,830 sq mi) and includes the town of Kidal and 31 other settlements.
Koulikoro is a town and urban commune in Mali. The capital of the Koulikoro Region, Koulikoro is located on banks of the Niger River, 59 kilometres (37 mi) downstream from Mali's capital Bamako.
Bamba is a small town and rural commune in the Bourem Cercle of the Gao Region of Mali. The town is located on the left (north) bank of the Niger River, 190 km east of Timbuktu and 230 km northwest of the town of Gao. In the 2009 census the commune had a population of 28,524.
Bourem is a commune and small town in the Gao Region of northeastern Mali. The town sits on the left bank of the River Niger.
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.
Ansongo is a rural commune and small town in the Gao Region of eastern Mali. The town lies on the left bank of the Niger River 90 km south of Gao. It is the administrative center for the surrounding Ansongo Cercle. The commune covers an area of 445 square kilometers and in the 2009 census had a population of 32,709.
Ménaka Cercle is an administrative subdivision of Ménaka Region, Mali. Its administrative center is the town of Ménaka. Ménaka Cercle's population as of 2009 was 56,104 people. Ménaka is located in the middle of the Sahara Desert, along Wadi Ezgeuret and an ancient dry river valley of the Iullemmeden Basin. Its highest point Mount Abourak is located around 150 km to the north of Ménaka town. Most of the small population are nomadic Tuareg tribal populations; minorities include the Wodaabe Fula and sedentary Songhai people. The area is a traditional center of the Kel Dinnik Tuareg confederation, along with the town of Andéramboukane near the Nigerien border.
Ansongo Cercle is an administrative subdivision of the Gao Region of Mali. The administrative center (chef-lieu) is the town of Ansongo. The Niger River passes through the cercle and plays an important role in transportation and the economy in the region.
Bourem Cercle is an administrative subdivision of the Gao Region of north-eastern Mali. The administrative center (chef-lieu) is the town of Bourem.
Talataye is a village and rural commune in the Cercle of Ansongo in the Gao Region of south-eastern Mali. The commune has an area of approximately 8,126 square kilometers. In the 2009 census it had a population of 13,907.
Temera is a small town and commune on the north bank of the Niger River in the Cercle of Bourem in the Gao Region of south-eastern Mali. In the 2009 census the commune had a population of 20,363.
Gabero is a rural commune in the Cercle of Gao in the Gao Region of south-eastern Mali. The commune covers an area of approximately 2,007 square kilometers and includes 15 villages. In the 2009 census the commune had a population of 25,688. The Niger River crosses the commune from north to south. The administrative center (chef-lieu) is Haoussa Foulane that lies on the left (east) bank of the Niger. The village is 45 km south of Gao, on the road, the N17, linking Gao and Ansongo.
Gounzoureye is a rural commune in the Cercle of Gao in the Gao Region of south-eastern Mali. The commune includes the villages of Koima, Tchirissoro, Sadou, Lobou, Sidibé, Kosseye, Gorom Gorom, Kadji, Wabaria, Arhabou, Tacharane, Bagoundjé I and Bagoundjé II, which are all located on the banks of the River Niger. The administrative center (chef-lieu) is at the village of Wabaria. In the 2009 census the commune had a population of 30,772.
Tassiga is a village and seat of the Commune of Bourra in the Cercle of Ansongo in the Gao Region of south-eastern Mali. The village lies on the left (east) bank of the Niger River, 37 km southeast of the town of Ansongo.
Konna is a town and rural commune in the Cercle of Mopti in the Mopti Region of Mali. The town lies 60 km northeast of Mopti on the eastern edge of the flood plain of the Niger River. The main RN16 highway linking Sévaré and Gao branches to the east just to the south of the town. The commune has an area of approximately 838 km2 and contains the town and 24 of the surrounding villages. In the 2009 census it had a population of 36,767.
