About Mali

Capital City: Bamako

Flag:

Green—represents agriculture

Golden Yellow—represents purity and wealth

Red—represents sacrifice by forefathers for independence

Independence Day: 22 September 1960 (from France)

Geography

Total Area1,240,000 sq km

Land Area: 1,220,000 sq km

Water Area: 20,000 sq km

Highest Point: Hombori Tondo 1,155 m

Lowest Point:Senegal River 23 m

Land: Most regions of Mali are considered desert or semi-desert. The Sahara Desert covers much of the northern territories, with the Sahel bushlands or savannah further south. Only in the deep south can one find forests and some jungles.

Living: About ninety percent of Malians reside in the more fertile southern third of the country, while ten percent (mostly nomadic people) live in the arid north that comprises two-thirds of Mali. Seventy-five percent of all Malian people live in rural areas.

Water: The Niger River provides an important trade route and water for irrigation. Most of the large cities have developed along the river.

Weather: Mali has three seasons: the hot season (hot and dry) from mid-February to June; the rainy season (hot and humid) from June to September; and the dry season (pleasant with temperatures in the mid-80's) from October to mid-February.

Communication: Communication is mainly oral. Books are published in at least four Malian languages, but history is more commonly transmitted by narration from generation to generation, from parent to child.>

Clothing: Western clothing and traditional clothing are both commonly worn in urban areas. Women tend to wear traditional clothing more often than men.

Food: Malnutrition is widespread in Mali. The dietary staple is millet. Milk, dates, and wheat are important supplemental foods in the north.

Government: Multi-party Democracy

Head of State
Can be elected for up to two 5-year terms of office.
Currently: Amadou Toumani Toure

Prime Minister
Head of Government
Appointed by President
Currently: Ousmane Issoufi Maiga

Economics
Currency: CFA Franc (XOF); officially Communaute Financiere Africaine franc.
GDP (per capita): $930 USD
Exports: cotton, gold, livestock; peanuts
Imports: petroleum, machinery and equipment, construction materials, foodstuffs, textiles