# Koulikoro Region > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Koulikoro_Region > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Koulikoro_Region.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koulikoro_Region > Source revision: 1357203737 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) Region of Mali This article needs more citations. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Find sources: "Koulikoro Region" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (June 2026) (Learn how and when to remove this message) Region in Mali Koulikoro Region Region Location within Mali Interactive map of Koulikoro Region Coordinates: 13°56′41″N 7°37′28″W / 13.94472°N 7.62444°W / 13.94472; -7.62444 Country Mali Capital Koulikoro Government • Governor Lamine Kapory Sanogo Area • Total 43,290 km2 (16,710 sq mi) Population (2023)[1] • Total 2,224,418 • Density 51.38/km2 (133.1/sq mi) Time zone UTC±0 (UTC) HDI (2017) 0.437[2] low · 2nd Map of Koulikoro Region (borders before 2023). **Koulikoro Region** ([Bambara](/source/Bambara_language): ߞߎߟߌߞߏߙߏ ߘߌߣߋߖߊ tr. Kulikoro Dineja) is a region in western [Mali](/source/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](/source/Koulikoro). ## Geography The region of Koulikoro is bordered by the regions of [Nara](/source/Nara_Region) and [Nioro](/source/Nioro_Region) on the north, the region of [Kita](/source/Kita_Region) on the west, by [Guinea](/source/Guinea) and the region of [Sikasso](/source/Sikasso_Region) on the south, and by the regions of [Ségou](/source/S%C3%A9gou_Region), [Bougouni](/source/Bougouni_Region) and [Dioïla](/source/Dio%C3%AFla_Region) to the east. In 2023 the Koulikoro Region had a population of 2,224,418. These were mainly [Bambaras](/source/Bambara_people), [Malinkés](/source/Mandinka_people), [Soninkes](/source/Soninke_people) and [Somono](/source/Somono) around the [Niger River](/source/Niger_River). The region is irrigated by several rivers, including the Niger, Baoulé, [Sankarani](/source/Sankarani_River), Baogé, [Bani](/source/Bani_River) and [Bafing](/source/Bafing_River). The climate of the region's south has the high rainfall typical of the [Sudan](/source/Sudan_(region)), while north of the Kita-Bamako axis, it tends to a [Sahelian](/source/Sahel) aridity. The largest cities of the region are [Kati](/source/Kati), [Koulikoro](/source/Koulikoro), [Kolokani](/source/Kolokani), and [Banamba](/source/Banamba); however the most populous *commune* is [Kalabancoro](/source/Kalabancoro). The [Boucle du Baoulé National Park](/source/Boucle_du_Baoul%C3%A9_National_Park) and the natural reserves of Fina, [Kongossambougou](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kongossambougou&action=edit&redlink=1) and [Badinko](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Badinko&action=edit&redlink=1) 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](/source/Ghana_Empire), the [Sosso Empire](/source/Sosso_Empire) and the [Mali Empire](/source/Mali_Empire). ## Culture The land of the [Mandé](/source/Mand%C3%A9_peoples) is located in this area. It is the cradle of the [Empire of Mali](/source/Empire_of_Mali), and known for preserving its traditional culture, with its [griots](/source/Griots) and its hunters. Like much of Mali, the area is strongly [Islamized](/source/Islam), but the practices of [animists](/source/Animists) remain very present in the villages. [Bambara](/source/Bambara_language) serves as the area's most common language. Koulikoro is famous for its traditional [puppet](/source/Puppet) theater, showcased in many festivals such as in the village of Diarabougou. Several musicians are natives of the region, including [Salif Keita](/source/Salif_Keita) and [Rokia Traoré](/source/Rokia_Traor%C3%A9). ## Transport and economy [Koulikoro](/source/Koulikoro) is the terminus of the [Dakar-Niger railway](/source/Dakar-Niger_railway). It is also an important port on the Niger River which makes it possible to serve the towns of [Ségou](/source/S%C3%A9gou), [Mopti](/source/Mopti), [Tombouctou](/source/Timbuktu), and [Gao](/source/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](/source/Selingue_Dam), gold-bearing industries around [Kangaba](/source/Kangaba), and the [cotton](/source/Cotton) production site in [Fana](/source/Fana%2C_Mali), Mali's second largest. ## Administrative subdivisions As of 2012[\[update\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Koulikoro_Region&action=edit) the Koulikoro Region is divided into eight [*cercles*](/source/Cercles_of_Mali), encompassing 29 [*arrondissements*](/source/Arrondissements_of_Mali), 61 [*communes*](/source/Communes_of_Mali), and 1,218 villages.[3] The eight *cercles* are:[3] - [Koulikoro Cercle](/source/Koulikoro_Cercle) - [Banamba Cercle](/source/Banamba_Cercle) - [Kangaba Cercle](/source/Kangaba_Cercle) - [Kati Cercle](/source/Kati_Cercle) - [Kolokani Cercle](/source/Kolokani_Cercle) - [Nyamina Cercle](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Nyamina_Cercle&action=edit&redlink=1) - [Siby Cercle](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Siby_Cercle&action=edit&redlink=1) - [Néguéla Cercle](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=N%C3%A9gu%C3%A9la_Cercle&action=edit&redlink=1) Mali's capital ([Bamako](/source/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](/source/Regions_of_Mali) - [Cercles of Mali](/source/Cercles_of_Mali) ## References 1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["Mali: Regions, Cities & Urban Localities - Population Statistics, Maps, Charts, Weather and Web Information"](https://www.citypopulation.de/en/mali/cities/). *Citypopulation.de*. Retrieved 8 May 2026. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-GlobalDataLab_2-0)** ["Sub-national HDI - Area Database - Global Data Lab"](https://hdi.globaldatalab.org/areadata/shdi/). *hdi.globaldatalab.org*. Retrieved 13 September 2018. 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-unmap_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-unmap_3-1) [UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs](/source/UN_Office_for_the_Coordination_of_Humanitarian_Affairs) (13 January 2026). ["Carte de Référence - Région de Koulikoro - Nouveau Découpage administratif du Mali (Août 2025)"](https://reliefweb.int/map/mali/carte-de-reference-region-de-koulikoro-nouveau-decoupage-administratif-du-mali-aout-2025). Retrieved 1 June 2026 – via Reliefweb. ## External links - [*Synthèsis des 106 Plans Communaux de Securité Alimentaire de la Région de Koulikoro 2009-2013*](http://www.aec.msu.edu/fs2/mali_fd_strtgy/plans/koulikoro/Synthese_reg_kkro.pdf) (PDF) (in French), Commissariat à la Sécurité Alimentaire, République du Mali, USAID-Mali, 2009. v t e Regions of Mali Bamako Capital District Bandiagara Bougouni Dioïla Douentza Gao Kayes Kidal Kita Koulikoro Koutiala Ménaka Mopti Nara Nioro San Ségou Sikasso Taoudénit Tombouctou v t e Communes and towns of Koulikoro Region Capital: Koulikoro Banamba Cercle Banamba (Banamba) Ben Kadi (Samakele) Boron (Boron) Duguwolowula (Touba) Kiban (Kiban) Madina Sacko (Madina Sacko) Sebete (Sebete) Toubakoro (Toubakoro) Dioila Cercle Banko (Banko) Benkadi (Kotoula) Binko (Tingole) Degnekoro (Degnekoro) Diebé (Diebé) Diédougou (Belekosoba) Diouman (Dioumanzana) Dolendougou (Dandougou) Guegneka (Fana) Jekafo (Jekafo) Kaladougou (Diolila) Kemekafo (Senou) Kerela (Kerela) Kilidougou (N'Tobougou) Massigui (Massigui) Nangola (Nangola) Niantjila (Niantjila) N'Dolondougou (Mena) N'Garadougou (N'Gara) N'Golobougou (N'Golobougou) Tenindougou (Falako) Wacoro (Wacoro) Zan Coulibaly (Marka Coungo) Kangaba Cercle Kangaba (Minidian Kangaba) Balan Bakama (Namakama) Benkadi Habaladougou (Kéniéba) Kaniogo (Kaniogo) Karan (Karan) Maramandougou (Figuira-Toma) Narena (Narena) Nouga (Keliegoue) Selefougou (Selefougou) Koulikoro Cercle Koulikoro (Koulikoro) Dinandougou (Kenekou) Doumba (Doumba) Koula (Koula) Meguetan (Gouni) Nyamina (Nyamina) Sirakorola (Sirakorola) Tienfala (Tienfala) Tougouni (Tougouni) Kolokani Cercle Kolokani (Kolokani) Didieni (Didieni) Guihoyo (Guihoyo) Massantola (Massantola) Nossombougou (Nossombougou) Nonkon (Nonkon) Ouolodo (Ouolodo) Sagabala (Sagabala) Sebecoro (Sebecoro) Tioribougou (Tioribougou) Kati Cercle Kati (Kati) Baguinéda-Camp (Baguinéda-Camp) Bankoumana (Bankoumana) Bossofala (Neguela) Bougoula (Bougoula) Daban (Daban) Diago (Diago) Dialakoroba (Dialakoroba) Dialakorodji (Dialakorodji) Diédougou (Torado) Dio-Gare (Dio-Gare) Dogodouman (Dogodouman) Dombila (Dombila) Doubabougou (Doubabougou) Faraba (Faraba) Kalabancoro (Kalabancoro) Kalifabougou (Kalifabougou) Kambila (Kambila) Kourouba (Kourouba) Mandé (Ouezzindougou) Moribabougou (Moribabougou) Mountougoula (Mountougoula) N'Gabacoro (N'Gabacoro-Droit) N'Gouraba (N'Gouraba) Niagadina (Niagadina) Nioumamakana (Nioumamakana) N'Tjiba (Faladié) Ouélessébougou (Ouélessébougou) Safo (Safo) Sanankoro Djitoumou (Sanankoro Djitoumou) Sanankoroba (Sanankoroba) Sangarébougou (Sangarébougou) Siby Sobra (Sandama) Tiakadougou-Dialakoro (Tiakadougou-Dialakoro) Tiélé (Tiélé) Yélékébougou (Yélékébougou) Nara Cercle Nara (Nara) Allahina (Allahina) Dabo (Boulal) Dilly (Dilly) Dogofry (Ballé) Fallou (Fallou) Guéniébé (Guéniébé) Guiré (Guiré) Koronga (Koronga) Niamana (Mourdiah) Ouagadou (Goumbou) Authority control databases International VIAF GND National United States Israel Geographic MusicBrainz area Other Yale LUX --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Koulikoro Region](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koulikoro_Region) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koulikoro_Region?action=history)). 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