river in western Africa, rising in the Fouta Djallon massif of Guinea and flowing generally northeast for about 200 miles (320 km). After passing the town of Bafing Makana in Mali, its only important riparian settlement, it curves around to flow approximately north-northwest, to form the Sénégal River at its confluence with the Bakoye River just south of Bafoulabé, Mali. It is approximately 350 miles (560 km) long and unnavigable. It courses down from the massif via the intermediate sandstone Mandingues Mountains to the Sénégal River valley.