Sikasso — City of Mali
Sikasso, Mali's second-largest city with about 230,000 residents, lies roughly 375 km southeast of Bamako, near the borders with Côte d'Ivoire and Burkina Faso.
**Sikasso** is Mali's second-largest city by population, located roughly **375 km southeast of Bamako**, in a region bordering Côte d'Ivoire and Burkina Faso.
## The country's second city
Sikasso has about **230,000 residents**, making it Mali's second-largest urban area after Bamako. It is the capital of the **Sikasso region**, one of the country's wettest and most agriculturally productive areas, often described as Mali's breadbasket (cotton, grain, fruit).
## A strategic position in the south
Sitting in a wetter savanna zone than central Mali, Sikasso occupies a strategic position close to the borders with Côte d'Ivoire and Burkina Faso, making it an important trading crossroads for regional exchange. Exact road distances between Bamako and Sikasso vary by source and road conditions, but the trip represents several hours of driving toward the country's southeast.
## An agricultural economic hub
Sikasso's economy relies heavily on agriculture, particularly cotton and grain farming, as well as cross-border trade. This agricultural character sets Sikasso apart from Bamako, whose economy leans more toward services, administration, and urban commerce.
Sources: [Wikipedia — Sikasso](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sikasso), [Wikivoyage — Sikasso](https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Sikasso_(city)), [Wikipedia — Sikasso Region](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sikasso_Region)