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Mopti (Pronounced Mohti) is a city at the confluence of the Niger and the Bani in Mali, between Timbuktu and Ségou. The city lies on three islands linked by dykes: the New Town, the Old Town and Medina Coura. As a result it is sometimes known as the "Venice of Mali".
[edit] HistoryThe city of Mopti derives its name from the Fulfulde word for gathering. The islands had long been inhabited, but Mopti was only founded in the nineteenth century as part of the Massina Empire, later becoming the base of El Hadj Umar Tall. With French domination, Mopti became known for its egret feather industry. Due to the limited land available, Mopti is very densely built compared to most Malian cities, containing many multi-story buildings and narrow streets. Originally, the islands were much smaller than they are today; first linked by dykes in the early twentieth century, the areas around and between natural islands have been gradually filled and raised -- often by deposition of household trash, a process that still continues today in areas such as the western edge of the Old Town. Mopti is the capital of the 5th administrative region of Mali, the Région de Mopti. In 2002, Mopti was one of several Malian cities to host the Cup of African Nations tournament. A large, modern stadium was constructed for this event. Amadou Toumani Touré, current president of Mali, is a native of Mopti. [edit] Industry Mopti is the region's commercial center and Mali's most important port; markets around its harbour sell salt from the Sahara, among many other goods. Fishing, herding, and agriculture (particularly rice production) also continue to be important to the local economy. [edit] Tourist industryMopti is popular with tourists, having an active river port, a mosque, and across the Niger, small fishing villages. Attractions in Mopti include Mopti Grand Mosque and the nearby Pays Dogon. There are several popular hotels, the Hotel Kanaga, Hotel Y a pas de Problème, and Hotel Ambedjele which is on the road to Sevare. [edit] TransportFerries connect Mopti with Timbuktu, Gao, Koulikoro and Djenné. A causeway links the town to Sévaré, the actual location of Mopti's airport. [edit] DemographicsMopti is the fourth-largest city in Mali, with an estimated 110,000 residents, primarily of the Bambara, Bozo, Dogon, Songhai and Fula ethnic groups. [edit] ClimateThe weather is hot and dry throughout much of the year with plenty of sunshine. Average daily maximum temperatures in the hottest months of the year - April and May - exceed 40°C. Temperatures are slightly cooler, though still very hot, from June through September, when practically all of the annual rainfall occurs. Only the winter months of December and January have average daily maximum temperatures below 32°C.
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