BAMAKO
Bamako is the capital and largest city of Mali. It’s located on the Niger River in the southwestern part of the country. Bamako derives its name from “Bama” and “Ko” meaning alligator and river. Its population is about one million plus includes a diversity of the Bambara people. Although French is the official language, the Bambara language is the one most commonly spoken. The city is a major port, home to Mali’s largest international airport and the Dakar-Niger railway. Bamako is also a cultural center of famous museums, zoos, botanical gardens, and it has remarkable places such as the University of Bamako, the National Museum of Mali, the Mali National Zoo, the Grand Mosque of Bamako, and the Bamako – Senou International Airport. The buildings of Bamako have a unique architectural style. Mali, is known as a historical center of ancient civilization in the Middle East. Mali was known as rich a wealthy state, especially during the reigning of Mansa-Musa, the tenth emperor of the Mali Kingdom, one of the wealthiest individuals during the Middle Ages. Bamako is a bustling city with the large market, botanical and zoological gardens, and active artisan community and several research institutions. It supports four colleges and houses the majority of Mali’s industrial enterprises. A traditional character prevails, however, and mud brick buildings can still be seen throughout the city. In 1974, Bamako, capital city of Mali became first twin-city of Ashgabat. Two cities develop bilateral relations in different spheres, particularly, they organize such events as exhibitions, specialized forums, film festivals, meetings of profile specialists in different fields.
Merdan CHERKEZOV,
4th year student of the Faculty of International Law
of the Institute of International Relations
of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan.