African Cities Timeline
Discover the rich history and development of African cities from ancient settlements to modern metropolises
Djenné
Mali Mopti
Location
13.90, -4.55Historic city, center of mud-brick architecture and Islamic culture, UNESCO World Heritage site.
Economic Role
Cultural heritage, tourism hub, regional commerce, local trade.
Gao
Mali Gao
Location
16.27, -0.05Historic city, center of Songhai Empire and local culture.
Economic Role
Administrative center, cultural heritage, regional trade, local commerce.
Tombouctou
Mali Tombouctou
Location
16.77, -3.02Historic city, center of trans-Saharan trade and Islamic culture, UNESCO World Heritage site.
Economic Role
Cultural heritage, tourism hub, regional commerce, local trade.
Ségou
Mali Ségou
Location
13.45, -6.27Historic city, center of Bambara Kingdom and local culture.
Economic Role
Administrative center, cultural heritage, regional trade, local commerce.
Bamako
Mali Bamako
Location
12.64, -8.00Capital and largest city of Mali, center of government and modern culture.
Economic Role
Political and economic capital, government services, financial center, regional trade hub.
Sikasso
Mali Sikasso
Location
11.32, -5.67Agricultural capital, center of farming and local culture.
Economic Role
Agricultural center, regional trade, local commerce, cultural hub.
Kayes
Mali Kayes
Location
14.45, -11.43Railway town, center of transportation and local culture.
Economic Role
Transportation hub, railway center, regional trade, local commerce.
Abeïbara
Mali Kidal
Location
19.12, 1.75Desert town, known for local culture and agriculture.
Economic Role
Administrative center, agricultural processing, regional trade, local commerce.
Aguelhok
Mali Kidal
Location
19.45, 0.85Desert town, known for local culture and agriculture.
Economic Role
Administrative center, agricultural processing, regional trade, local commerce.
Anefis
Mali Kidal
Location
19.08, 0.58Desert town, known for local culture and agriculture.
Economic Role
Administrative center, agricultural processing, regional trade, local commerce.
Ansongo
Mali Gao
Location
15.67, 0.50Administrative center, known for local culture and agriculture.
Economic Role
Administrative center, agricultural processing, regional trade, local commerce.
Bandiagara
Mali Mopti
Location
14.35, -3.62Administrative center, known for Dogon culture and local administration.
Economic Role
Administrative center, cultural heritage, regional trade, local commerce.
Bougouni
Mali Sikasso
Location
11.75, -7.48Administrative center, known for local culture and agriculture.
Economic Role
Administrative center, agricultural processing, regional trade, local commerce.
Douentza
Mali Mopti
Location
14.98, -3.00Administrative center, known for local culture and agriculture.
Economic Role
Administrative center, agricultural processing, regional trade, local commerce.
Intadjedite
Mali Kidal
Location
18.43, 1.40Desert town, known for local culture and agriculture.
Economic Role
Administrative center, agricultural processing, regional trade, local commerce.
Kati
Mali Koulikoro
Location
12.75, -8.07Military town, center of military operations and local culture.
Economic Role
Military center, regional trade, local commerce.
Kidal
Mali Kidal
Location
18.43, 1.40Desert capital, center of Tuareg culture and administration.
Economic Role
Administrative center, regional trade, local commerce, cultural hub.
Koulikoro
Mali Koulikoro
Location
12.87, -7.57Administrative center, known for local culture and agriculture.
Economic Role
Administrative center, agricultural processing, regional trade, local commerce.
Koutiala
Mali Sikasso
Location
12.38, -5.47Cotton center, known for cotton production and local culture.
Economic Role
Cotton industry, agricultural processing, regional trade, local commerce.
Menaka
Mali Menaka
Location
15.92, 2.40Administrative center, known for local culture and agriculture.
Economic Role
Administrative center, agricultural processing, regional trade, local commerce.
Mopti
Mali Mopti
Location
14.48, -4.18Port city, center of river trade and local culture.
Economic Role
Port services, river trade, regional commerce, local trade.