Mali

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Republique de Mali

(In Detail)
National motto: Un peuple, un but, une foi (One people, one goal, one faith)
Official language	French (official), Bambara, others
Capital	Bamako
President	Amadou Toumani Toure
Prime Minister	Ousmane Issoufi Maiga
Area  - Total  - % water	Ranked 23rd 1,240,000 km² 1.6%
Population  - Total (2002)  - Density	Ranked 68th 11,340,480 10.9/km²
Independence  - Date	From France September 22, 1960
Currency	CFA Franc
Time zone	UTC 0
National anthem	Pour l'Afrique et pour toi, Mali (For Africa and for You, Mali)
Internet TLD	.ML
Calling Code	223

Mali is a country in west Africa, formerly a French colony.

Table of contents

1 History 2 Politics 3 Regions 4 Geography 5 Economy 6 Demographics 7 Culture 8 Miscelleanous topics 9 External links

History

Main article: History of Mali The Sudanese Republic and Senegal became independent of France on September 22 1960 as the Mali Federation. When Senegal withdrew after only a few months, the Sudanese Republic was renamed Mali. Rule by dictatorship was brought to a close in 1991 with a transitional government, and in 1992 when Mali's first democratic presidential election was held. Since his reelection in 1997, President Konare has continued to push through political and economic reforms and to fight corruption. In 1999 he indicated he would not run for a third term.

Politics

Main article: Politics of Mali

Regions

Main article: Regions of Mali Mali is divided into nine regions, including the capital district of Bamako:

• Bamako Capital District
• Gao
• Kayes
• Kidal
• Koulikoro
• Mopti
• Segou
• Sikasso
• Tombouctou

Geography

Main article: Geography of Mali

• List of cities in Mali

Economy

Main article: Economy of Mali Mali is among the poorest countries in the world, with 65% of its land area desert or semidesert. Economic activity is largely confined to the riverine area irrigated by the Niger River. About 10% of the population is nomadic and some 80% of the labor force is engaged in farming and fishing. Industrial activity is concentrated on processing farm commodities. Mali is heavily dependent on foreign aid and vulnerable to fluctuations in world prices for cotton, its main export. In 1997, the government continued its successful implementation of an IMF-recommended structural adjustment program that is helping the economy grow, diversify, and attract foreign investment. Mali's adherence to economic reform, and the 50% devaluation of the African franc in January 1994, has pushed up economic growth. Several multinational corporations increased gold mining operations in 1996-98, and the government anticipates that Mali will become a major Sub-Saharan gold exporter in the next few years.

Demographics

Main article: Demographics of Mali

Culture

Main article: Geography of Mali

• List of writers from Mali
• Music of Mali

Miscelleanous topics

• Communications in Mali
• Transportation in Mali
• Military of Mali
• Foreign relations of Mali

External links

• Mali Banknotes
• Worldwide Press Freedom Index Rank 43 out of 139 countries (2 way tie, 2002)