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Mali is the largest country in West Africa, surrounded by seven countries, with a population of over 11 million. French is the official language, but most speak Bambara. Islam is the main religion. Mali was controlled by the Malinke Empire and later by France until it gained independence in 1960. A military coup in 1968 led to military rule until 1991. Since then, Mali has struggled to repair its economy and attract foreign investors. Most of the population lives along the Niger River, with agriculture, fishing, and gold mining as the main industries.
Known officially as the République de Mali, the Saharan country of Mali is the largest country in West Africa and the seventh largest in Africa, with a total land area of 478,839 square miles (1,240,192 sq km). It is completely landlocked, surrounded by seven countries: Niger, Guinea, Mauritania, Algeria, Senegal, Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso.
The Bambara ethnic group makes up the majority of Malian’s population of over 11,700,000 (2006 est.). Although French remains its official language, most of the population, particularly those outside urban areas, speak Bambara. The main religion practiced in the country is Islam: about 90% of its citizens are Muslims.
The name of the village comes from the native Bambara language and means “hippo”. Although nomadic tribes had passed through the region for centuries, the Malinke Empire was in control from the 12th to 16th centuries. During the heyday of this empire, a major city in Mali, Timbuktu, was one of the largest in Africa and represented the pinnacle of the area’s wealth and culture. In 12, Morocco took control of the region and will hold power for nearly 16 years.
In the early 20th century, France was in control of the country and in 1920 it became known as the French Sudan. In 1946, it was officially part of the French Union. On 20 June 1960 it became independent from France, becoming the Federation of Mali. At that time it consisted of Mali, then known as the Republic of Sudan, and the Republic of Senegal, which later seceded a few months later. At the time, it became known simply as Mali.
On November 19, 1968, a military coup overthrew the republic and military rule lasted until 1991, when the current dictator was peacefully removed. Democracy was adopted and the country’s first democratically elected president took office in 1992. Unfortunately, the early 1990s were marked by a period of conflict between the Malian government and the Tuareg ethnic group. The Tuaregs, descendants of nomadic Berbers and Arabs, clashed with the black Africans who made up the majority. Eventually, Tuareg refugees returned to the area after peace was achieved in 1995.
Since a democratic government was adopted, Mali’s leaders have struggled to repair its economy, obtain international financial assistance from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and attract foreign investors. Despite its struggles, Mali continues to be one of the most socially and politically secure and stable countries in the region.
Most of the population lives near or along the Niger River and life revolves around the river’s annual flood cycle. Agriculture and fishing along the river are two of the largest industries, although gold mining has grown in recent decades. Since most of the land is not arable or livable, the country has struggled to create robust and profitable industries to adequately support its population.
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