Mali
World Watch List
(2019-2023)
- Population:
- 24,479,000
- Language:
- French
- Religion:
- Islam
Mali was home to great empires such as Ghana, Mali, and Songhai, which controlled trans-Saharan trade. It became a French colony in the 19th century and gained independence in 1960. Mali has faced political instability and insurgencies in recent years but remains culturally significant, with historic cities like Timbuktu.
Mali, officially the Republic of Mali, is a landlocked country in West Africa. It shares borders with Algeria to the north, Niger to the east, Burkina Faso and Côte d'Ivoire to the south, Guinea to the southwest, and Senegal and Mauritania to the west. Covering an area of approximately 1.24 million square kilometers, Mali is the eighth-largest country in Africa. As of 2023, it has a population of about 20 million people. The capital and largest city is Bamako. The official language is French, with numerous local languages such as Bambara also widely spoken. Mali operates as a semi-presidential republic. The economy is primarily based on agriculture and mining, with gold and cotton being significant exports. Mali is known for its rich cultural heritage, including historic cities like Timbuktu, and as a center of ancient learning and trade. The country is a member of international organizations such as the United Nations, the African Union, and the Economic Community of West African States.