town, eastern Mali, located at the confluence of the Niger and Bani rivers. Originally a small fishing village, Mopti has become an important commercial town and the centre of Mali's fishing and livestock industries. The town is located on three islands and is one of the most densely populated areas in Mali. Major crops grown in the surrounding area are rice, millet, onions, cassava, and peanuts (groundnuts). Livestock raising and fishing are also significant. The major population groups in the locality are the Dogon, Fulani, Bambara, Bozo, Bwa, Songhai, and Tukulor. Pop. (1998 prelim.) 79,840.