Gao is a city located in Mali and serves as the capital of the Gao Region. It is situated on the left bank of the River Niger, specifically at the junction with the Tilemsi valley.
The city is positioned approximately 320 km (200 mi) east-southeast of Timbuktu. While there is a namesake location in Burkina Faso, this specific city is defined by its geographical position along the Niger River waterway.