See also: Gao (homonymy)

Gao is a city of the Mali, capital of the seventh area and located on the river Niger. Its population is estimated at 57.978 inhabitants in 2005.

History

Gao is a founded city of the Mali at the 7th century at the time of the Empire songhaï. The Empire of Mali has then conquered Gao in 1325, while letting apply the laws songhaïs. Gao then became the center of a prosperous empire of 70.000 people. It is during this period that will be built the tomb of the Askia S in 1495. The Moroccan invasion of 1591 with largely destroyed the city, which remained of relatively average size until the period of French colonization at the 19th century and 20th century. In November 1955, Gao becomes a commune of average exercise of the French Sudan.

The March 2nd 1966, with the independence of Mali, Gao becomes a commune of full exercise.

Gao which was formerly an important shopping mall, because it located on the road of the Caravane S which ensured the trade transafricain and on the river Niger, major transportation route in all Western Africa. A miniature formerly exposed to the Museum of African arts and océaniens watch the activity of an old market of this city. The town of Gao amorça its decline when the large European ships are reflected to sail round Africa, making underperforming economically the caravans which crossed it. But it keeps following the example Tombouctou or Samarkand, which declined for the same reason, a place in the imaginary collective.

Economy

The town of Gao has an open airport most of the year. It remains an important transportation route on the Fleuve Niger where men and goods forward.

Tourism became these last years an important source of incomes. The city has a notable inheritance indeed, in particular with the tomb of the Askia S registered with the inheritance of UNESCO since January 2005. The pink Dune, thus named because of the lights given at the time of laying down it sun, along the Niger river and located at the doors of the desert, is also gravitational for the visitors who descend the river.

Culture

The 7th edition of the Festival of arts and cultures songhay was held from February 9th to 12th 2007 in Gao.

Sports

The Stade Kassé Keïta is located at Gao, it was inaugurated for the Coupe of Africa of the footballing nations 2002.

Twinning

Gao is twinned with.

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