Koutiala Cercle is an administrative subdivision of the Sikasso Region

Sikasso Region

Sikasso is the southern-most region of Mali. The capital city of the same name is the 3rd-largest city and is growing rapidly due to people fleeing the violence in Côte d'Ivoire to the south. Major ethnic groups include the Senoufo, known for masks and reverence for animals, the Samago, known for...

 of southern Mali

Mali

Mali , officially the Republic of Mali , is a landlocked country in Western Africa. Mali borders Algeria on the north, Niger on the east, Burkina Faso and the Côte d'Ivoire on the south, Guinea on the south-west, and Senegal and Mauritania on the west. Its size is just over 1,240,000 km² with...

. The administrative center is the town of Koutiala

Koutiala

Koutiala is a city in Mali in the administrative region of Sikasso. Koutiala serves as the capital of its administrative Cercle, home to 355,289 people. As of 2005, Koutiala has an estimated 96,600 residents and an area of 18 000 km²...

. The Cercle

Cercles of Mali

A cercle is the second level administrative unit in Mali. Mali is divided into eight regions and one capital district . These subdivisions bear the name of their principal city. The regions are divided into 49 cercles....

 is divided into 36 communes

Communes of Mali

A Commune is the third level administrative unit in Mali. Mali is divided into eight regions and one capital district . These subdivisions bear the name of their principal city. The regions are divided into 49 Cercles...

.

Economy

Koutiala is the heartland of the cotton production in Mali and its main town is sometimes called "the white gold capital" for its cotton. However, the industry has been affected by stagnation since the 1980s. Aside from cotton it is also noted for grain production, primarily millet

Millet

The millets are a group of small-seeded species of cereal crops or grains, widely grown around the world for food and fodder. They do not form a taxonomic group, but rather a functional or agronomic one. Their essential similarities are that they are small-seeded grasses grown in difficult...

, sorghum

Sorghum

Sorghum is a genus of numerous species of grasses, one of which is raised for grain and many of which are used as fodder plants either cultivated or as part of pasture. The plants are cultivated in warmer climates worldwide. Species are native to tropical and subtropical regions of all continents...

 and maize

Maize

Maize known in many English-speaking countries as corn or mielie/mealie, is a grain domesticated by indigenous peoples in Mesoamerica in prehistoric times. The leafy stalk produces ears which contain seeds called kernels. Though technically a grain, maize kernels are used in cooking as a vegetable...

.

Administrative divisions

The Cercle of Koutiala is divided into 36 communes:

• Diedougou
  Diedougou
  Diedougou may refer to:* Diédougou, a commune of the Dioïla Cercle in the Koulikoro Region of Mali* Diédougou, a commune of the Kati Cercle in the Koulikoro Region of Mali...
  
  
• Diouradougou Kafo
  Diouradougou Kafo
  Diouradougou Kafo is a commune in the Cercle of Koutiala in the Sikasso Region of southern Mali. The principal town lies at Tiere. As of 1998 the commune had a population of 5839.-References:...
  
  
• Fagui
  Fagui
  Fagui is a commune in the Cercle of Koutiala in the Sikasso Region of southern Mali. The principal town lies at Ziena. As of 1998 the commune had a population of 6205.-References:...
  
  
• Fakolo
  Fakolo
  Fakolo is a commune in the Cercle of Koutiala in the Sikasso Region of southern Mali. The principal town lies at Zansoni. As of 1998 the commune had a population of 8021.-References:...
  
  
• Gouadji Kao
  Gouadji Kao
  Gouadji Kao is a commune in the Cercle of Koutiala in the Sikasso Region of southern Mali. The principal town lies at N'Togonasso. As of 1998, the commune had a population of 6,459.-References:...
  
  
• Goudié Sougouna
  Goudie Sougouna
  Goudie Sougouna is a commune in the Cercle of Koutiala in the Sikasso Region of southern Mali. The principal town lies at Sanguela. As of 1998 the commune had a population of 8,876.-References:...
  
  
• Kafo Faboli
  Kafo Faboli
  Kafo Faboli is a commune in the Cercle of Koutiala in the Sikasso Region of southern Mali. The principal town lies at Peguena. As of 1998 the commune had a population of 10,571.-References:...
  
  
• Kapala
  Kapala
  A kapala or skullcup is a cup made from a human skull used as a ritual implement in both Hindu Tantra and Buddhist Tantra...
  
  
• Karagouana Mallé
• Kolonigué
  Kolonigué
  Kolonigué is a rural commune in the Cercle of Koutiala in the Sikasso Region of southern Mali. The commune is situated in the south east of the cercle, about 35 km from Koutiala and 440 km from Bamako....
  
  
• Konina
  Konina, Mali
  Konina is a small town and commune in the Cercle of Koutiala in the Sikasso Region of southern Mali. As of 1998 the commune had a population of 8,995.-References:...
  
  
• Koningué
  Koningue
  Koningue is a commune in the Cercle of Koutiala in the Sikasso Region of southern Mali. The principal town lies at Sougoumba. As of 1998 the commune had a population of 10621.-References:...
  
  

• Konseguela
  Konseguela
  Konseguela is a town and commune in the Cercle of Koutiala in the Sikasso Region of southern Mali. As of 1998 the commune had a population of 20,744.-References:...
  
  
• Koromo
  Koromo, Mali
  Koromo is a commune in the Cercle of Koutiala in the Sikasso Region of southern Mali. The principal town lies at Bongosso. As of 1998 the commune had a population of 6,962.-References:...
  
  
• Kouniana
  Kouniana
  Kouniana is a small town and commune in the Cercle of Koutiala in the Sikasso Region of southern Mali. As of 1998 the commune had a population of 2853.-References:...
  
  
• Koutiala
  Koutiala
  Koutiala is a city in Mali in the administrative region of Sikasso. Koutiala serves as the capital of its administrative Cercle, home to 355,289 people. As of 2005, Koutiala has an estimated 96,600 residents and an area of 18 000 km²...
  
  
• Logouana
  Logouana
  Logouana is a commune in the Cercle of Koutiala in the Sikasso Region of southern Mali. The principal town lies at Leleni. As of 1998 the commune had a population of 5155.-References:...
  
  
• M'Pessoba
  M'Pessoba
  M'Pessoba is a small town and commune in the Cercle of Koutiala in the Sikasso Region of southern Mali. As of 1998 the commune had a population of 19,873.-References:...
  
  
• Miena
  Miena, Mali
  Miena is a small town and commune in the Cercle of Koutiala in the Sikasso Region of southern Mali. As of 1998 the commune had a population of 11,088.-References:...
  
  
• N'Golonianasso
  N'Golonianasso
  N'Golonianasso is a small town and commune in the Cercle of Koutiala in the Sikasso Region of southern Mali. As of 1998 the commune had a population of 11,587.-References:...
  
  
• N'Goutjina
  N'Goutjina
  N'Goutjina is a small town and commune in the Cercle of Koutiala in the Sikasso Region of southern Mali. As of 1998 the commune had a population of 7,274.-References:...
  
  
• N'Tossoni
  N'Tossoni
  N'Tossoni is a small town and commune in the Cercle of Koutiala in the Sikasso Region of southern Mali. As of 1998 the commune had a population of 4,989.-References:...
  
  
• Nafanga
  Nafanga
  Nafanga is a commune in the Cercle of Koutiala in the Sikasso Region of southern Mali. The principal town lies at Karangasso. As of 1998 the commune had a population of 6929.-References:...
  
  
• Nampé
  Nampe
  Nampe is a commune in the Cercle of Koutiala in the Sikasso Region of southern Mali. The principal town lies at Baramba. As of 1998 the commune had a population of 4877.-References:...
  
  

• Niantaga
  Niantaga
  Niantaga is a commune in the Cercle of Koutiala in the Sikasso Region of southern Mali. The principal town lies at Koloni. As of 1998 the commune had a population of 4275.-References:...
  
  
• Sincina
  Sincina
  Sincina is a small town and commune in the Cercle of Koutiala in the Sikasso Region of southern Mali. As of 1998 the commune had a population of 11,420.-References:...
  
  
• Sinkolo
  Sinkolo
  Sinkolo is a small town and commune in the Cercle of Koutiala in the Sikasso Region of southern Mali. As of 1998 the commune had a population of 7444.-References:...
  
  
• Songo-Doubacoré
  Songo-Doubacore
  Songo-Doubacore is a commune in the Cercle of Koutiala in the Sikasso Region of southern Mali. The principal town lies at Oula. As of 1998 the commune had a population of 9,665.-References:...
  
  
• Songoua
  Songoua
  Songoua is a commune in the Cercle of Koutiala in the Sikasso Region of southern Mali. The principal town lies at Sirakele. As of 1998 the commune had a population of 8835.-References:...
  
  
• Sorobasso
  Sorobasso
  Sorobasso is a small town and commune in the Cercle of Koutiala in the Sikasso Region of southern Mali. As of 1998 the commune had a population of 7,331.-References:...
  
  
• Tao
  Tao, Mali
  Tao is a commune in the Cercle of Koutiala in the Sikasso Region of southern Mali. The principal town lies at Fonfona. As of 1998 the commune had a population of 4426.-References:...
  
  
• Yognogo
  Yognogo
  Yognogo is a commune in the Cercle of Koutiala in the Sikasso Region of southern Mali. The principal town lies at Famessasso. As of 1998 the commune had a population of 4,123.-References:...
  
  
• Zanfigué
  Zanfigue
  Zanfigue is a commune in the Cercle of Koutiala in the Sikasso Region of southern Mali. The principal town lies at Bobola Zangasso. As of 1998 the commune had a population of 10,554.-References:...
  
  
• Zangasso
  Zangasso
  Zangasso is a small town and commune in the Cercle of Koutiala in the Sikasso Region of southern Mali. As of 1998 the commune had a population of 12540....
  
  
• Zanina
  Zanina
  Zanina is a commune in the Cercle of Koutiala in the Sikasso Region of southern Mali. The principal town lies at Debela. As of 1998 the commune had a population of 5,947.-References:...
  
  
• Zebala
  Zebala
  Zebala is a small town and commune in the Cercle of Koutiala in the Sikasso Region of southern Mali. As of 1998 the commune had a population of 12,471.-References:...