Niger Bend

The Niger Bend is a significant geographical feature within Mali, marking a great turn where the Niger River flows southeastward after a northward and eastward course. This region, particularly the central delta of the Niger River, is crucial for agriculture due to periodic floods and rich alluvial soils.1

Mali's economy is predominantly agricultural, with most activity concentrated in the southern regions, especially along the Niger and Sénégal rivers. Key crops include millet, rice, cotton, and corn, while livestock raising and fishing are also economically important. The country's economy has historically been influenced by socialist policies, with a gradual shift towards privatization since 1992. Mali is a landlocked country in western Africa, largely characterized by arid Saharan and Sahelian landscapes.23