Gao, Ancient trading center in eastern Mali
Gao spans along the eastern bank of the Niger River at an elevation of 226 meters, forming a crucial crossroads between the Sahara and Sahel regions.
The settlement emerged as a fishing village in the 7th century and later became the capital of the Songhai Empire during the 11th century.
The Tomb of Askia, constructed in 1495, represents the traditional Sahelian architecture and serves as a testament to the Songhai civilization.
The city connects to Bamako through a 1200-kilometer paved road and provides river transportation services via large steamers from Mopti and Koulikoro.
The Wabaria bridge, inaugurated in 2006, replaced the previous ferry system and established the first permanent crossing over the Niger River in the region.
Location: Gao Region
Elevation above the sea: 226 m
GPS coordinates: 16.26667,-0.05000
Latest update: May 28, 2025 18:19
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