{{Infobox administrative division | name = Bandiagara | native_name = | settlement_type = Region | map_caption = Location of Bandiagara Region in Mali | image_skyline = LesFalaisesDeBandiagara.jpg | image_caption = Rocky landscape | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = Mali | seat_type = Capital | seat = Bandiagara | area_total_km2 = 24850 | population_total = 1270224 | population_as_of = 2023 | population_density_km2 = auto | iso_code = | coordinates = {{coord|14.350000|-3.616667|type:adm1st_region:ML|display=inline,title}} }}
'''Bandiagara Region''' is an administrative region of Mali that was created from the division of Mopti Region. Its capital is the town of Bandiagara. The region includes large parts of Dogon country and is particularly known for the Cliff of Bandiagara, which has been listed as a mixed cultural and natural World Heritage Site by UNESCO since 1989.<ref name=":1">{{cite web |url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/516/ |title=Cliff of Bandiagara (Land of the Dogons) |website=UNESCO World Heritage Centre |language=en |access-date=8 May 2026}}</ref>
== Geography == The region is located in central Mali, south of the Niger Bend, and borders Burkina Faso to the south. It covers an area of 24,850 km².<ref name=":2">{{cite web |url=https://www.citypopulation.de/en/mali/cities/ |title=Mali: Regions, Cities & Urban Localities - Population Statistics, Maps, Charts, Weather and Web Information |website=Citypopulation.de |access-date=8 May 2026}}</ref> The landscape is shaped by the Dogon Plateau, sandy plains and the escarpments of Bandiagara. UNESCO describes the Cliff of Bandiagara as an extensive cliff and sandstone landscape with traditional Dogon settlements, granaries, sanctuaries and meeting places.<ref name=":1" />
== History == The area of present-day Bandiagara Region belonged to Mopti Region until the administrative reform. The creation of a separate Bandiagara Region had already been envisaged by Mali’s administrative reform of 2012, but was initially not fully implemented. Law No. 2023-006 of 13 March 2023 confirmed the new administrative division and established Bandiagara as one of the country’s regions.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://matd.gouv.ml/creation-circonscriptions-administrative-en-republique-mali |title=Loi n°2023-006 portant création des circonscriptions administratives en République du Mali |publisher=Ministère de l'Administration Territoriale et de la Décentralisation |language=fr |access-date=8 May 2026}}</ref>
== Administrative divisions == The region is divided into nine ''cercles''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://data.humdata.org/dataset/cod-ab-mli |title=Mali - Subnational Administrative Boundaries |website=The Humanitarian Data Exchange (HDX) - OCHA Global Subnational Administrative Boundaries |publisher=UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs - Field Information Services Section (FISS), Geneva, Switzerland |date=2 April 2026 |format=XLSX; GeoJSON; Shape; GDB |language=en |access-date=8 May 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://malinewstv.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Projet-de-loi-portant-création-des-circonscriptions-administratives-au-Mali.pdf |title=Projet de loi portant création des circonscriptions administratives au Mali |language=fr |access-date=8 May 2026}}</ref> In total, it comprises 30 arrondissements, 53 communes and 1,024 villages and fractions.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://bamada.net/reorganisation-administrative-le-nouveau-visage-des-collectivites-au-mali |title=Réorganisation Administrative : Le Nouveau Visage des Collectivités au Mali |website=Bamada.net |date=13 January 2026 |language=fr |access-date=8 May 2026}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable" ! Cercle code ! Cercle ! Communes |- |1901 |Bandiagara |10 |- |1902 |Koro |16 |- |1903 |Bankass |4 |- |1904 |Kendié |5 |- |1905 |Ningari |4 |- |1906 |Diallassagou |5 |- |1907 |Sangha |2 |- |1908 |Kani |4 |- |1909 |Sokoura |3 |}
== Population == In 2023, the region had a population of 1,270,224.<ref name=":2" /> The population consists mainly of Dogon, Peul/Fulbe and other population groups of central Mali. The region belongs to the core area of the Dogon languages, which are divided into numerous local varieties.
{| class="wikitable sortable" ! Year ! Population |- |1998 |690,740 |- |2009 |940,819 |- |2023 |1,270,224 |}
== Culture == Historically, the region is closely associated with the settlement area of the Dogon. The Cliff of Bandiagara and the surrounding villages are considered one of Mali’s most important cultural areas. In addition to the traditional architecture and religious customs of the Dogon, the region has also played an important role in archaeological research into older settlement patterns in West Africa. In recent years, the area has also been affected by the security crisis in central Mali, which has severely disrupted agriculture, livestock herding, markets and tourism.
== Economy == The economy of the region is predominantly rural. The most important livelihoods include rain-fed agriculture, livestock herding, small-scale vegetable cultivation and local trade. On the Dogon Plateau, the main crops are millet, sorghum and shallots; wild plants, small-scale crafts and, traditionally, tourism also plays a role, although tourism has been restricted by the poor security situation in the country.
== References == {{reflist}}
{{Regions of Mali}} Category:Regions of Mali