Niger Inland Delta

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

November 2007

The Niger Inland Delta, also known as the Macina or Inner Niger Delta, is a large area of lakes and floodplains in Mali. It is located in the middle course of the Niger River, between the bifurcated Niger and its tributary, the Bani. Cities such as Mopti, Sévaré and Djenné lie in the 400 km-long region.

The Fulani and Dogon inhabit the Macina region and the surrounding area. During the wet season, the swamp floods into a lake and naturally irrigates the land. When the dry season comes, the Macina turns into a network of lakes and channels. Cattle, pearl millet, and rice are its important agricultural products. The Macina inland delta also provides water and fish for the Malians living there.

Due to its proximity to the widening Sahel, there have been concerns that the Macina may be getting less rain every year.

In the early 19th century, Seku Amadu founded a Massina Empire in the region, building a capital at Hamdullahi in 1820. The Massina fell to El Hadj Umar Tall's Toucouleur Empire in 1862, who in turn fell to the French army. The region became a part of the country of Mali on its independence in 1960.

It should not be confused with the Niger Delta, in Nigeria.

[edit] Habitat

The seasonal wetlands and lakes of the inland delta are also an important stopping place for Migratory birds, and UNESCO has classified it as a RAMSAR zone (The Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, especially as Waterfowl Habitat, zone humide reconnue d’un intérêt international pour la migration des oiseaux d’eau)