Kidal Region

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Kidal is the eighth administrative region of Mali, covering 151,430 km². Its capital is the city of Kidal.

1 Geography
2 Transportation and economy
3 History
4 Culture
5 Administrative subdivisions
6 See also
7 References
8 External links

[edit] Geography

The region is bordered on the west by Tomboctou Region, to the south by Gao Region, to the east by Niger and to the north by Algeria.

Kidal has a desert climate with day-time temperatures that reach as high as 45° C (113° F).

The population numbers 85,000, mostly Tuaregs and Songhais.

The largest cities of the region are Kidal, Tessalit, and Aguel'hoc.

[edit] Transportation and economy

The primary trades of Kidal Region include livestock breeding, craft-making, and commerce. Commercial farming has been developed in some areas. The region is extremely isolated, with no paved highways or rivers for transportation.

[edit] History

The region saw Tuareg rebellions in 1963-64 and in 1990-91. The accords of Tamanresset followed on January 6, 1991, creating the Kidal Region by decree on August 8, 1991.

[edit] Culture

Each year the Desert Music Festival is held at Essouk.

The region is peopled primarily by Tuaregs, a nomadic ethnicity of Berber origin. Their writing is the Tifinagh alphabet.

Though nomadism remains the lifestyle best adapted to the difficult environment of the region, several settlements have emerged at Kidal, Aguel'hoc, Tessalit, and Tinzawatène.