Mali | World Heritage Explorer

Mali has been a State Party to the World Heritage Convention since 1977. With 4 inscribed properties, the country maintains a well-established presence on the World Heritage List. The majority of its sites are cultural properties, reflecting a strong emphasis on historical and architectural heritage.

Mali as a State Party to the World Heritage Convention

State Party since: April 5, 1977

Status: Acceptance

Mandates to the World Heritage Committee: 2009-2013, 2019-2023

Total of Mandate Years: 8

Total of Mandates: 2

WHC Electoral Group: V(a) (Africa)

World Heritage Sites in Mali (4)

Cultural: 3 | Natural: 0 | Mixed: 1

Cliff of Bandiagara (Land of the Dogons) · Mixed
Old Towns of Djenné · Cultural
Timbuktu · Cultural
Tomb of Askia · Cultural

Map of World Heritage Sites

This interactive map shows the location of all UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Mali.

Tentative World Heritage Sites (15)

Site de la Mosquée de Kankou Moussa à Gao · submitted: May 6, 2021
Sites historiques et paysages culturels du Manden · submitted: January 8, 2018
Cathédrale de Bamako · submitted: September 19, 2017
L’Eglise de Mandiakuy · submitted: September 19, 2017
La Réserve de la Biodiversité des éléphants du Gourma · submitted: August 31, 2017
Le Bassin du fleuve Niger (du seuil de Markala au lac Débo) · submitted: August 31, 2017
La Réserve de biodiversité du Parc du Bafing Makana · submitted: September 7, 2016
Le Réservoir naturel du Lac Magui · submitted: September 7, 2016
La Cité Historique de Hamdallahi · submitted: March 19, 2009
Le Fort de Médine · submitted: March 19, 2009
La grande mosquée de vendredi de Niono · submitted: March 19, 2009
La Mosquée de Komoguel · submitted: March 19, 2009
Le Tata de Sikasso · submitted: March 19, 2009
La Boucle du Baoulé · submitted: September 8, 1999
Es-Souk · submitted: September 8, 1999

Source: UNESCO Tentative Lists

Country Profile Mali

Official Name: Republic of Mali

Continent: Africa

Subregion: Western Africa

UNESCO Region: Africa

Capital: Bamako

Population (2024): 24,478,595

Land Area: 1,220,190 km²

Currency: West African CFA franc (XOF)

Country Data Sources

Links

UNESCO World Heritage Convention: State Party Mali

About States Parties

States Parties are countries that have joined the World Heritage Convention. They commit to identifying, nominating, and protecting properties of outstanding cultural or natural value on their territory. States Parties are also expected to monitor and report on the condition of inscribed sites.

World Heritage Insights

How Politics and Institutions Shape the UNESCO World Heritage List

The UNESCO World Heritage List is usually seen as a catalogue of the world’s most important cultural and natural places. Yet behind every inscription there is a structured decision process: countries must first join the Convention, run for a seat on the World Heritage Committee, prepare nominations through a fixed procedure, and finally obtain enough votes for inscription.

World Heritage Info

Background

Learn about UNESCO, the World Heritage Convention, Tentative Lists, and how World Heritage Sites are selected and preserved. Explore the history, structures, and processes that protect humanity’s cultural and natural treasures.

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