Between them, the intense fire of the Sahara desert and the silent flowing of the Niger River have forged a unique backdrop to the fascinating country that is Mali. The largest country in West Africa, Mali is a magical place indelibly marked by nature's force and history. Timbuktu, Djenné and Dogon Country evoke the glory and splendour of bygone eras, of journeys through the desert, of ancestral rites and wisdom, of architecture full of charm and sensuality, and of wild regions imbued with the spirit of deepest Africa - Africa at its most authentic.

MALI has always been a crossroads, a meeting place for different cultures, myths, religions and tribes. Some of its road leads lead to enigmatic villages full of spirituality; and all lead, sooner or later, to the most magnificent work of art ever built by man from simple mud brick: the Djenné Mosque, a World Heritage site and one of the masterpieces of Sahelian architecture.

This building is a shining example of how in Mali roads do not serve to separate, but rather to unite, because the Niger River is not, and never has been, a frontier between the two halves of a nation. It combines captivating desert landscapes with some of the most breathtaking views of sub-Saharian Africa.
Thanks to its location and geographical characteristics, Mali has been the centre of great African empires. For the same reason, it is currently a peaceful country which has enjoyed independence since 1960. Ruled by a plural, democratic government, Mali is a fascinating, passionate country in many senses, but the characteristics that stand out most are the warmth and magnetism of its inhabitants.

The Malian people are warm and sociable, proud of their culture and as yet untouched by the often destructive influence of mass tourism. As a result, a trip to Mali is an unforgettable experience, as visitors immerse themselves in the essence of this unique country full of colour and contrast.

THE CURVE THAT MADE HISTORY

ALL ALONG its 4.700 km course, the Niger Rivers is flanked by diverse tribes who for centuries have traded, mingled and lived along the banks of its leisurely flowing waters.

The rivers fertilised the surrounding desert landscape and gave rise to the country's rich history - for the thousand- year old history has its roots it the curve of the Niger. A natural curve that, defying all logic, chose the longest path and flows in a wide loop towards the north to lap at the sand on the edge of the Sahara desert before descending once again towards the Gulf of Guinea, where the diverse arms of the Niger delta finally embrace the Atlantic Ocean.
It was precisely this looping bend up towards the desert that transformed the Niger Rivers into both a major point of convergence for trans-Saharan trade, linking Black Africa and the Mediterranean for centuries. As a result, a number of kingdoms sprung up along the banks of the rivers, gradually developing into flourishing cultures and civilisations which, over the years, formed the basic of the great Malian Empire.

Timbuktu and Djenné became two of the most important centres on the trans-Sahara caravan route, and the Niger River became a bustling thoroughfare linking the Nile with the Atlantic coast of West Africa.

As a result of this boom in trade, the Ghana Empire arose around 300 AD at the meeting point between Mauritania, Senegal and Mali. This empire is considered one of the oldest in Africa. After successive attacks by Almoravide warriors, the Sonike tribe chose to settle in the more sheltered areas of inland Mali, near the bend in the rivers. Its stability as a civilised and refined ethnic group gave rise to the great Mali Empire, a magnificent realm flowing with gold and riches, whose praises were gold and riches, whose praises were sung by many narrators, geographer and travellers of the period.

One of the best examples of the enormous wealth of this empire was the emperor kankan Mousa, who during his pilgrimage to Mecca in 1324 in search of new alliances with Arabia, helped establish the splendour of the realm and the legend of Timbuktu by his ostentatious donations of priceless treasures. At the same time, imperial influence paved the way for an extensive trading network that stretched all the way from the western Mediterranean to the Middle East. After reaching its height during the 14th century, this route finally fell apart when Mali was conquered by the Songhai people, who retained their dominion over the territory until the 16th century, transferring once again towards the great Sudanese empires to arise within the geographical area of what is now modern-day Mali.

Finally, after being conquered by their one-time allies, the Moroccans, the last independent governors of Mal lost their power during the 18th century and the country became part of the newly created French colonies of West Africa.

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