Basic Information | Mali
| Official Name | Republic of Mali |
| Common Name | Mali |
| Continent | Africa |
| Region | West Africa |
| Capital City | Bamako |
| Largest City | Bamako |
Geography | Mali
| Total Area (sq km) | 1,240,192 (8th largest in Africa) |
| Land Borders | 7 countries (Algeria, Niger, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Guinea, Senegal, Mauritania) |
| Coastline | None (landlocked) |
| Major Rivers | Niger River, Senegal River |
| Major Mountains | Adrar des Ifoghas, Hombori Tondo |
| Climate | Mostly arid to semi-arid; hot desert in the north, savanna in the south |
Demographics | Mali
| Population | ~22 million (2024 est.) |
| Population Density | ~18/sq km |
| Urbanization | ~45% of population lives in cities |
| Official Language(s) | French |
| Regional Languages | Bambara, Fula, Dogon, Soninke, Tuareg dialects |
| Major Ethnic Groups | Bambara, Fulani, Songhai, Tuareg, Dogon, Malinké |
| Major Religions | Islam (~95%), Christianity, Indigenous beliefs |
Government & Politics | Mali
| Government Type | Unitary Presidential Republic (currently transitional government due to political instability) |
| Current Leader | Assimi Goïta (Interim President, as of 2025) |
| Administrative Divisions | 10 regions and 1 capital district (Bamako) |
| Independence / Founding Date | September 22, 1960 (from France) |
Economy | Mali
| Currency | West African CFA franc (XOF) |
| GDP (Nominal) | ~$20 billion (2024 est.) |
| GDP Per Capita | ~$900 |
| Major Industries | Agriculture (cotton, millet, rice), Gold mining, Livestock, Fishing |
| Major Exports | Gold, cotton, livestock |
| Major Imports | Petroleum, machinery, foodstuffs |
| Trade Partners | China, Senegal, Ivory Coast, France, UAE |
Culture & Society | Mali
| National Symbols | National flag (green, gold, red vertical tricolor), National animal: Lion |
| National Sport | Football (Soccer) |
| Famous Festivals | Festival in the Desert (music), Segou Festival on the Niger |
| Cuisine Highlights | Rice with sauce, Millet porridge, Grilled meat, Peanut-based stews |
| Literature & Arts | Griot oral traditions, traditional music (kora, balafon), mud-brick architecture (Timbuktu, Djenné) |
| UNESCO Heritage Sites | Timbuktu, Djenné’s Great Mosque, Tomb of Askia, Cliff of Bandiagara (Dogon Country) |
Travel & Tourism | Mali
| Top Tourist Attractions | Timbuktu, Djenné Mosque, Niger River cruises, Dogon Country cliff villages |
| Best Time to Visit | November–February (cooler dry season) |
| Famous Cities | Bamako, Timbuktu, Gao, Mopti |
| Visa Requirement | Most visitors require a visa |
Other Key Facts | Mali
| Time Zone(s) | GMT (UTC+0) |
| Internet Domain | .ml |
| Calling Code | +223 |
| Major Airports | Bamako-Sénou International Airport |
| Currency Symbol | CFA Fr |
| Literacy Rate | ~35% (one of the lowest globally) |
| Life Expectancy | ~59 years |
| Interesting Fact | Mali was home to the ancient Mali Empire and the legendary city of Timbuktu, once a center of Islamic learning and trade in Africa. |
Mali on the World Map
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