Mali: Difference between revisions
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=== History === | === History === | ||
Present-day Mali is named after the Mali Empire that ruled the region between the 13th and 16th centuries. [13] | |||
Rock art in the Sahara suggests that northern Mali has been inhabited since 10,000 BC, when the Sahara was fertile and rich in wildlife. [14] | |||
At its peak in the 14th century, it was the largest and wealthiest empire in West Africa and controlled an area about twice the size of modern-day France. [15] | |||
Early ceramics have been discovered at the central Malian site of Ounjougou dating to about 9,400 BC, and are believed to represent an instance of the independent invention of pottery in the region. [16] | |||
Primarily a trading empire, Mali derived its wealth from gold and maintained several goldfields and trade routes in the Sahel. [17] | |||
Farming took place by 5000 BC, and iron was used by around 500 BC. In the first millennium BC, early cities and towns were created by Mandé peoples related to the Soninke people, along the middle Niger River, including Dia which began from around 900 BC, and reached its peak around 600 BC, and Djenné-Djenno, which lasted from around 300 BC to 900 AD. Through approximately 6th century BC and 4th century BC, the lucrative trans-Saharan trade in pack animals, gold, salt and slaves had begun, facilitating the rise of West Africa's great empires. There are a few references to Mali in early Islamic literature. Among these are references to "Pene" and "Malal" in the work of al-Bakri in 1068, the story of the conversion of an early ruler, known to Ibn Khaldun (by 1397) as Barmandana, and a few geographical details in the work of al-Idrisi. Mali was once part of three famed West African empires which controlled trans-Saharan trade in gold, salt, other precious commodities, and slaves majorly during the 14th century reign of Mansa Musa. [18] | |||
=== Leaders === | === Leaders === | ||
Chief of state: Transition President Assimi GOITA (since 7 June 2021) Head of government: Transition Prime Minister Abdoulaye MAIGA (since 22 November 2024) [19] | |||
=== Geography === | === Geography === | ||
Location: interior Western Africa, southwest of Algeria, north of Guinea, Cote d'Ivoire, and Burkina Faso, west of Niger Area: 1,240,192 sq km Terrain: mostly flat to rolling northern plains covered by sand; savanna in south, rugged hills in northeast Natural resources: gold, phosphates, kaolin, salt, limestone, uranium, gypsum, granite, hydropower [20] | |||
=== Climate === | === Climate === | ||
Climate: subtropical to arid; hot and dry (February to June); rainy, humid, and mild (June to November); cool and dry (November to February) [21] | |||
=== Culture === | === Culture === | ||
The varied everyday culture of Malians reflects the country's ethnic and geographic diversity. Most Malians wear flowing, colorful robes called boubous that are typical of West Africa. [22] | |||
Ethnic groups: Bambara 33.3%, Fulani (Peuhl) 13.3%, Sarakole/Soninke/Marka 9.8%, Senufo/Manianka 9.6%, Malinke 8.8%, Dogon 8.7%, Sonrai 5.9%, Bobo 2.1%, Tuareg/Bella 1.7%, other Malian 6%, from members of Economic Community of West Africa 0.4%, other 0.3% (2018 est.) [23] | |||
Malians frequently participate in traditional festivals, dances, and ceremonies. [24] | |||
Languages: Bambara (official), French 17.2%, Peuhl/Foulfoulbe/Fulani 9.4%, Dogon 7.2%, Maraka/Soninke 6.4%, Malinke 5.6%, Sonrhai/Djerma 5.6%, Minianka 4.3%, Tamacheq 3.5%, Senoufo 2.6%, Bobo 2.1%, other 6.3%, unspecified 0.7% (2009 est.) [25] | |||
Malian musical traditions are derived from the griots, who are known as "Keepers of Memories". Malian music is diverse and has several different genres. [26] | |||
Religions: Muslim 93.9%, Christian 2.8%, animist 0.7%, none 2.5% (2018 est.) [27] | |||
Some influences are kora virtuoso musician Toumani Diabaté, the ngoni with Bassekou Kouyate the virtuoso of the electric jeli ngoni, the late roots and blues guitarist Ali Farka Touré, the Tuareg band Tinariwen, Khaira Arby, and several Afro-pop artists such as Salif Keita, the duo Amadou et Mariam, Oumou Sangare, Fatoumata Diawara, Rokia Traore, and Habib Koité. Dance also plays a large role; parties are common events among friends, and traditional mask dances are performed at ceremonial events. Though Mali's literature is less famous than its music, Mali has always been one of Africa's liveliest intellectual centers. [28] | |||
=== Government === | === Government === | ||
Government type: semi-presidential republic Capital: Bamako Legal system: civil law system based on the French civil law model and influenced by customary law; Constitutional Court reviews legislative acts [29] | |||
=== Demographics === | === Demographics === | ||
In 2021 the population was an estimated 21.9 million, which grew from 7.7 million in 1982. [30] | |||
Population: 22,634,423 (2025 est.) Median age: 16.5 years (2025 est.) [31] | |||
The population is predominantly rural (69.7% in 2022), and 5%–10% of Malians are nomadic. More than 90% live in southern Mali, especially in Bamako, which has over 4 million residents. [32] | |||
Urbanization: 46.2% of total population (2023) [33] | |||
In 2024, about 47% were 14 years old or younger, 50% were 15–64 years old, and 3% were 65 and older. [34] | |||
Major urban areas: 2.929 million BAMAKO (capital) (2023) Life expectancy: 63.2 years (2024 est.) [35] | |||
The median age was 16.4 years. [36] | |||
Literacy: 35.5% (2018 est.) [37] | |||
The birth rate in 2024 was 40 births per 1,000, and the total fertility rate in 2024 was 5.35 children per woman. The death rate in 2024 was 8.1 deaths per 1,000. Life expectancy at birth was 63.2 years total (60.9 for males and 65.6 for females). [38] | |||
=== Military === | === Military === | ||
Branches: Malian Armed Forces (Forces Armées Maliennes or FAMa): Army (l’Armée de Terre), Air Force (l’Armée de l’Air); National Guard (la Garde Nationale du Mali); National Gendarmerie of Mali (Gendarmerie Nationale du Mali) (2025) Expenditures: 4.3% of GDP (2024 est.) Personnel: information varies; estimated 35-40,000 active FAMa, Gendarmerie, and National Guard (2025) Equipment: the FAMa's inventory includes mostly Soviet-era weapons and equipment along with smaller quantities of more modern material from a variety of suppliers, including France, Russia, South Africa, Türkiye, and the UAE (2025) [39] | |||
{{See also|pages=[[Timeline:Mali|Timeline: Mali]]}} | {{See also|pages=[[Timeline:Mali|Timeline: Mali]]}} | ||
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* rev 3, 2026-08-25 — rebuilt with no change of sources | * rev 3, 2026-08-25 — rebuilt with no change of sources | ||
* rev 4, 2026-08-26 — rebuilt with no change of sources | * rev 4, 2026-08-26 — rebuilt with no change of sources | ||
* rev 5, 2026-08-26 — rebuilt with no change of sources | |||
== Sources == | == Sources == | ||
| Line 123: | Line 128: | ||
* [6] U.S. Sanctions Smuggling Network for Qods Force and Hizballah - https://archive.isnull.dev/archive/1787653495.040287/ | * [6] U.S. Sanctions Smuggling Network for Qods Force and Hizballah - https://archive.isnull.dev/archive/1787653495.040287/ | ||
* [8] Reaction from Hezbollah to Netanyahu: He wants to raise tensions for election goals. - https://archive.isnull.dev/archive/1787693124.229412/ | * [8] Reaction from Hezbollah to Netanyahu: He wants to raise tensions for election goals. - https://archive.isnull.dev/archive/1787693124.229412/ | ||
* [13] | * [13] Background: Present-day Mali is named after the Mali Empire that ruled the region between the 13th and 16th centuries. - 1787695240.298211 | ||
* [14] | * [14] Rock art in the Sahara suggests that northern Mali has been inhabited since 10,000 BC, when the Sahara was fertile and rich in wildlife. - 1787707394.665485 | ||
* [ | * [15] Background: At its peak in the 14th century, it was the largest and wealthiest empire in West Africa and controlled an area about twice the size of modern-day France. - 1787695240.298211 | ||
* [ | * [16] Early ceramics have been discovered at the central Malian site of Ounjougou dating to about 9,400 BC, and are believed to represent an instance of the independent invention of pottery in the region. - 1787707394.665485 | ||
* [ | * [17] Background: Primarily a trading empire, Mali derived its wealth from gold and maintained several goldfields and trade routes in the Sahel. - 1787695240.298211 | ||
* [18] Farming took place by 5000 BC, and iron was used by around 500 BC. In the first millennium BC, early cities and towns were created by Mandé peoples related to the Soninke people, along the middle Niger River, including Dia which began from around 900 BC, and reached its peak around 600 BC, and Djenné-Djenno, which lasted from around 300 BC to 900 AD. Through approximately 6th century BC and 4th century BC, the lucrative trans-Saharan trade in pack animals, gold, salt and slaves had begun, facilitating the rise of West Africa's great empires. There are a few references to Mali in early Islamic literature. Among these are references to "Pene" and "Malal" in the work of al-Bakri in 1068, the story of the conversion of an early ruler, known to Ibn Khaldun (by 1397) as Barmandana, and a few geographical details in the work of al-Idrisi. Mali was once part of three famed West African empires which controlled trans-Saharan trade in gold, salt, other precious commodities, and slaves majorly during the 14th century reign of Mansa Musa. - 1787707394.665485 | |||
* [19] Chief of state: Transition President Assimi GOITA (since 7 June 2021) Head of government: Transition Prime Minister Abdoulaye MAIGA (since 22 November 2024) - 1787695240.298211 | |||
* [20] Location: interior Western Africa, southwest of Algeria, north of Guinea, Cote d'Ivoire, and Burkina Faso, west of Niger Area: 1,240,192 sq km Terrain: mostly flat to rolling northern plains covered by sand; savanna in south, rugged hills in northeast Natural resources: gold, phosphates, kaolin, salt, limestone, uranium, gypsum, granite, hydropower - 1787695240.298211 | |||
* [21] Climate: subtropical to arid; hot and dry (February to June); rainy, humid, and mild (June to November); cool and dry (November to February) - 1787695240.298211 | |||
* [22] The varied everyday culture of Malians reflects the country's ethnic and geographic diversity. Most Malians wear flowing, colorful robes called boubous that are typical of West Africa. - 1787707394.665485 | |||
* [23] Ethnic groups: Bambara 33.3%, Fulani (Peuhl) 13.3%, Sarakole/Soninke/Marka 9.8%, Senufo/Manianka 9.6%, Malinke 8.8%, Dogon 8.7%, Sonrai 5.9%, Bobo 2.1%, Tuareg/Bella 1.7%, other Malian 6%, from members of Economic Community of West Africa 0.4%, other 0.3% (2018 est.) - 1787695240.298211 | |||
* [ | * [24] Malians frequently participate in traditional festivals, dances, and ceremonies. - 1787707394.665485 | ||
* [25] Languages: Bambara (official), French 17.2%, Peuhl/Foulfoulbe/Fulani 9.4%, Dogon 7.2%, Maraka/Soninke 6.4%, Malinke 5.6%, Sonrhai/Djerma 5.6%, Minianka 4.3%, Tamacheq 3.5%, Senoufo 2.6%, Bobo 2.1%, other 6.3%, unspecified 0.7% (2009 est.) - 1787695240.298211 | |||
* [ | * [26] Malian musical traditions are derived from the griots, who are known as "Keepers of Memories". Malian music is diverse and has several different genres. - 1787707394.665485 | ||
* [27] Religions: Muslim 93.9%, Christian 2.8%, animist 0.7%, none 2.5% (2018 est.) - 1787695240.298211 | |||
* [28] Some influences are kora virtuoso musician Toumani Diabaté, the ngoni with Bassekou Kouyate the virtuoso of the electric jeli ngoni, the late roots and blues guitarist Ali Farka Touré, the Tuareg band Tinariwen, Khaira Arby, and several Afro-pop artists such as Salif Keita, the duo Amadou et Mariam, Oumou Sangare, Fatoumata Diawara, Rokia Traore, and Habib Koité. Dance also plays a large role; parties are common events among friends, and traditional mask dances are performed at ceremonial events. Though Mali's literature is less famous than its music, Mali has always been one of Africa's liveliest intellectual centers. - 1787707394.665485 | |||
* [29] Government type: semi-presidential republic Capital: Bamako Legal system: civil law system based on the French civil law model and influenced by customary law; Constitutional Court reviews legislative acts - 1787695240.298211 | |||
* [ | * [30] In 2021 the population was an estimated 21.9 million, which grew from 7.7 million in 1982. - 1787707394.665485 | ||
* [ | * [31] Population: 22,634,423 (2025 est.) Median age: 16.5 years (2025 est.) - 1787695240.298211 | ||
* [ | * [32] The population is predominantly rural (69.7% in 2022), and 5%–10% of Malians are nomadic. More than 90% live in southern Mali, especially in Bamako, which has over 4 million residents. - 1787707394.665485 | ||
* [ | * [33] Urbanization: 46.2% of total population (2023) - 1787695240.298211 | ||
* [ | * [34] In 2024, about 47% were 14 years old or younger, 50% were 15–64 years old, and 3% were 65 and older. - 1787707394.665485 | ||
* [35] Major urban areas: 2.929 million BAMAKO (capital) (2023) Life expectancy: 63.2 years (2024 est.) - 1787695240.298211 | |||
* [36] The median age was 16.4 years. - 1787707394.665485 | |||
* [ | * [37] Literacy: 35.5% (2018 est.) - 1787695240.298211 | ||
* [38] The birth rate in 2024 was 40 births per 1,000, and the total fertility rate in 2024 was 5.35 children per woman. The death rate in 2024 was 8.1 deaths per 1,000. Life expectancy at birth was 63.2 years total (60.9 for males and 65.6 for females). - 1787707394.665485 | |||
* [ | * [39] Branches: Malian Armed Forces (Forces Armées Maliennes or FAMa): Army (l’Armée de Terre), Air Force (l’Armée de l’Air); National Guard (la Garde Nationale du Mali); National Gendarmerie of Mali (Gendarmerie Nationale du Mali) (2025) Expenditures: 4.3% of GDP (2024 est.) Personnel: information varies; estimated 35-40,000 active FAMa, Gendarmerie, and National Guard (2025) Equipment: the FAMa's inventory includes mostly Soviet-era weapons and equipment along with smaller quantities of more modern material from a variety of suppliers, including France, Russia, South Africa, Türkiye, and the UAE (2025) - 1787695240.298211 | ||
* [ | |||
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== Images == | == Images == | ||
Revision as of 20:42, 25 August 2026
Mali as this archive records it. Every line in the reporting sections below is a headline that was collected, with its outlet and date. Nothing here is written by a model: if a claim appears, some outlet made it, and this page does not say whether it is true. The Background section is different in kind: those lines are encyclopedic facts from a reference work, each cited to the source it came from.
Mali
{{{image}}}| Type | Place or actor |
|---|---|
| Region | middle east |
| Archived items | 90 |
| As of | 2026-08-24 |
Situation as of 2026-08-24
Most recent archived item: Côte d'Ivoire: accusé de viols et d'agressions sexuelles, l'influenceur «Coach Mehdi» a été arrêté au Mali - reported by RFI
Most recent archived item: RFI
This page lists 12 archived headlines published between 2026-02-27 and 2026-08-24. It reflects what these feeds reported in that window, not everything that happened.
Reporting by provenance
The tag records where a report came from, not who is fighting. A state outlet is named with its affiliation attached.
Other archived reporting
Items on this subject with no side recorded against them.
- [1] 2026-08-24 - RFI: Côte d'Ivoire: accusé de viols et d'agressions sexuelles, l'influenceur «Coach Mehdi» a été arrêté au Mali
- [2] 2026-08-23 - RFI: Mali: FLA Tuareg rebels release about twenty Malian soldiers
- [3] 2026-08-23 - RFI: Mali: the Tuareg rebels of the FLA release about twenty Malian soldiers
- [4] 2026-08-23 - RFI: Mali: Tuareg rebels of the FLA release about twenty Malian soldiers
- [5] 2026-08-20 - outlet not recorded: Air Quality & Pollen
- [6] 2026-08-20 - US State Department: U.S. Sanctions Smuggling Network for Qods Force and Hizballah
- [7] 2026-08-18 - outlet not recorded: Netanyahu's office: Syria risked status quo
- [8] 2026-08-15 - star.com.tr: Reaction from Hezbollah to Netanyahu: He wants to raise tensions for election goals.
- [9] 2026-07-26 - outlet not recorded: U.S. pauses attacks on Iran for a second straight day and Tehran does too
- [10] 2026-07-20 - outlet not recorded: Gail H. Murphy, Damascus, Ohio
- [11] 2026-07-20 - outlet not recorded: The End of the Non-Proliferation Paradigm
- [12] 2026-07-01 - outlet not recorded: Israel-Lebanon Deal: A Path to Peace or Another Ceasefire Illusion?
- ...and 78 more not listed here.
Background
Encyclopedic context, retrieved from a reference work and archived. It is not war reporting and is not counted as any.
History
Present-day Mali is named after the Mali Empire that ruled the region between the 13th and 16th centuries. [13]
Rock art in the Sahara suggests that northern Mali has been inhabited since 10,000 BC, when the Sahara was fertile and rich in wildlife. [14]
At its peak in the 14th century, it was the largest and wealthiest empire in West Africa and controlled an area about twice the size of modern-day France. [15]
Early ceramics have been discovered at the central Malian site of Ounjougou dating to about 9,400 BC, and are believed to represent an instance of the independent invention of pottery in the region. [16]
Primarily a trading empire, Mali derived its wealth from gold and maintained several goldfields and trade routes in the Sahel. [17]
Farming took place by 5000 BC, and iron was used by around 500 BC. In the first millennium BC, early cities and towns were created by Mandé peoples related to the Soninke people, along the middle Niger River, including Dia which began from around 900 BC, and reached its peak around 600 BC, and Djenné-Djenno, which lasted from around 300 BC to 900 AD. Through approximately 6th century BC and 4th century BC, the lucrative trans-Saharan trade in pack animals, gold, salt and slaves had begun, facilitating the rise of West Africa's great empires. There are a few references to Mali in early Islamic literature. Among these are references to "Pene" and "Malal" in the work of al-Bakri in 1068, the story of the conversion of an early ruler, known to Ibn Khaldun (by 1397) as Barmandana, and a few geographical details in the work of al-Idrisi. Mali was once part of three famed West African empires which controlled trans-Saharan trade in gold, salt, other precious commodities, and slaves majorly during the 14th century reign of Mansa Musa. [18]
Leaders
Chief of state: Transition President Assimi GOITA (since 7 June 2021) Head of government: Transition Prime Minister Abdoulaye MAIGA (since 22 November 2024) [19]
Geography
Location: interior Western Africa, southwest of Algeria, north of Guinea, Cote d'Ivoire, and Burkina Faso, west of Niger Area: 1,240,192 sq km Terrain: mostly flat to rolling northern plains covered by sand; savanna in south, rugged hills in northeast Natural resources: gold, phosphates, kaolin, salt, limestone, uranium, gypsum, granite, hydropower [20]
Climate
Climate: subtropical to arid; hot and dry (February to June); rainy, humid, and mild (June to November); cool and dry (November to February) [21]
Culture
The varied everyday culture of Malians reflects the country's ethnic and geographic diversity. Most Malians wear flowing, colorful robes called boubous that are typical of West Africa. [22]
Ethnic groups: Bambara 33.3%, Fulani (Peuhl) 13.3%, Sarakole/Soninke/Marka 9.8%, Senufo/Manianka 9.6%, Malinke 8.8%, Dogon 8.7%, Sonrai 5.9%, Bobo 2.1%, Tuareg/Bella 1.7%, other Malian 6%, from members of Economic Community of West Africa 0.4%, other 0.3% (2018 est.) [23]
Malians frequently participate in traditional festivals, dances, and ceremonies. [24]
Languages: Bambara (official), French 17.2%, Peuhl/Foulfoulbe/Fulani 9.4%, Dogon 7.2%, Maraka/Soninke 6.4%, Malinke 5.6%, Sonrhai/Djerma 5.6%, Minianka 4.3%, Tamacheq 3.5%, Senoufo 2.6%, Bobo 2.1%, other 6.3%, unspecified 0.7% (2009 est.) [25]
Malian musical traditions are derived from the griots, who are known as "Keepers of Memories". Malian music is diverse and has several different genres. [26]
Religions: Muslim 93.9%, Christian 2.8%, animist 0.7%, none 2.5% (2018 est.) [27]
Some influences are kora virtuoso musician Toumani Diabaté, the ngoni with Bassekou Kouyate the virtuoso of the electric jeli ngoni, the late roots and blues guitarist Ali Farka Touré, the Tuareg band Tinariwen, Khaira Arby, and several Afro-pop artists such as Salif Keita, the duo Amadou et Mariam, Oumou Sangare, Fatoumata Diawara, Rokia Traore, and Habib Koité. Dance also plays a large role; parties are common events among friends, and traditional mask dances are performed at ceremonial events. Though Mali's literature is less famous than its music, Mali has always been one of Africa's liveliest intellectual centers. [28]
Government
Government type: semi-presidential republic Capital: Bamako Legal system: civil law system based on the French civil law model and influenced by customary law; Constitutional Court reviews legislative acts [29]
Demographics
In 2021 the population was an estimated 21.9 million, which grew from 7.7 million in 1982. [30]
Population: 22,634,423 (2025 est.) Median age: 16.5 years (2025 est.) [31]
The population is predominantly rural (69.7% in 2022), and 5%–10% of Malians are nomadic. More than 90% live in southern Mali, especially in Bamako, which has over 4 million residents. [32]
Urbanization: 46.2% of total population (2023) [33]
In 2024, about 47% were 14 years old or younger, 50% were 15–64 years old, and 3% were 65 and older. [34]
Major urban areas: 2.929 million BAMAKO (capital) (2023) Life expectancy: 63.2 years (2024 est.) [35]
The median age was 16.4 years. [36]
Literacy: 35.5% (2018 est.) [37]
The birth rate in 2024 was 40 births per 1,000, and the total fertility rate in 2024 was 5.35 children per woman. The death rate in 2024 was 8.1 deaths per 1,000. Life expectancy at birth was 63.2 years total (60.9 for males and 65.6 for females). [38]
Military
Branches: Malian Armed Forces (Forces Armées Maliennes or FAMa): Army (l’Armée de Terre), Air Force (l’Armée de l’Air); National Guard (la Garde Nationale du Mali); National Gendarmerie of Mali (Gendarmerie Nationale du Mali) (2025) Expenditures: 4.3% of GDP (2024 est.) Personnel: information varies; estimated 35-40,000 active FAMa, Gendarmerie, and National Guard (2025) Equipment: the FAMa's inventory includes mostly Soviet-era weapons and equipment along with smaller quantities of more modern material from a variety of suppliers, including France, Russia, South Africa, Türkiye, and the UAE (2025) [39]
See also: Timeline: Mali
Publication history
What changed and when. Computed from the sources each revision cited, not written by anyone.
- rev 1, 2026-08-25 — first published from 4 source(s)
- rev 2, 2026-08-25 — +9 source(s)
- rev 3, 2026-08-25 — rebuilt with no change of sources
- rev 4, 2026-08-26 — rebuilt with no change of sources
- rev 5, 2026-08-26 — rebuilt with no change of sources
Sources
Where a durable link was recorded, it is here. Google News items carry a redirect stub rather than an article and are listed above without one.
- [1] Côte d'Ivoire: accusé de viols et d'agressions sexuelles, l'influenceur «Coach Mehdi» a été arrêté au Mali - https://archive.isnull.dev/archive/1787693124.229357/
- [2] Mali: FLA Tuareg rebels release about twenty Malian soldiers - https://archive.isnull.dev/archive/1787688108.461736/
- [3] Mali: the Tuareg rebels of the FLA release about twenty Malian soldiers - https://archive.isnull.dev/archive/1787688108.461736/
- [4] Mali: Tuareg rebels of the FLA release about twenty Malian soldiers - https://archive.isnull.dev/archive/1787688108.461736/
- [6] U.S. Sanctions Smuggling Network for Qods Force and Hizballah - https://archive.isnull.dev/archive/1787653495.040287/
- [8] Reaction from Hezbollah to Netanyahu: He wants to raise tensions for election goals. - https://archive.isnull.dev/archive/1787693124.229412/
- [13] Background: Present-day Mali is named after the Mali Empire that ruled the region between the 13th and 16th centuries. - 1787695240.298211
- [14] Rock art in the Sahara suggests that northern Mali has been inhabited since 10,000 BC, when the Sahara was fertile and rich in wildlife. - 1787707394.665485
- [15] Background: At its peak in the 14th century, it was the largest and wealthiest empire in West Africa and controlled an area about twice the size of modern-day France. - 1787695240.298211
- [16] Early ceramics have been discovered at the central Malian site of Ounjougou dating to about 9,400 BC, and are believed to represent an instance of the independent invention of pottery in the region. - 1787707394.665485
- [17] Background: Primarily a trading empire, Mali derived its wealth from gold and maintained several goldfields and trade routes in the Sahel. - 1787695240.298211
- [18] Farming took place by 5000 BC, and iron was used by around 500 BC. In the first millennium BC, early cities and towns were created by Mandé peoples related to the Soninke people, along the middle Niger River, including Dia which began from around 900 BC, and reached its peak around 600 BC, and Djenné-Djenno, which lasted from around 300 BC to 900 AD. Through approximately 6th century BC and 4th century BC, the lucrative trans-Saharan trade in pack animals, gold, salt and slaves had begun, facilitating the rise of West Africa's great empires. There are a few references to Mali in early Islamic literature. Among these are references to "Pene" and "Malal" in the work of al-Bakri in 1068, the story of the conversion of an early ruler, known to Ibn Khaldun (by 1397) as Barmandana, and a few geographical details in the work of al-Idrisi. Mali was once part of three famed West African empires which controlled trans-Saharan trade in gold, salt, other precious commodities, and slaves majorly during the 14th century reign of Mansa Musa. - 1787707394.665485
- [19] Chief of state: Transition President Assimi GOITA (since 7 June 2021) Head of government: Transition Prime Minister Abdoulaye MAIGA (since 22 November 2024) - 1787695240.298211
- [20] Location: interior Western Africa, southwest of Algeria, north of Guinea, Cote d'Ivoire, and Burkina Faso, west of Niger Area: 1,240,192 sq km Terrain: mostly flat to rolling northern plains covered by sand; savanna in south, rugged hills in northeast Natural resources: gold, phosphates, kaolin, salt, limestone, uranium, gypsum, granite, hydropower - 1787695240.298211
- [21] Climate: subtropical to arid; hot and dry (February to June); rainy, humid, and mild (June to November); cool and dry (November to February) - 1787695240.298211
- [22] The varied everyday culture of Malians reflects the country's ethnic and geographic diversity. Most Malians wear flowing, colorful robes called boubous that are typical of West Africa. - 1787707394.665485
- [23] Ethnic groups: Bambara 33.3%, Fulani (Peuhl) 13.3%, Sarakole/Soninke/Marka 9.8%, Senufo/Manianka 9.6%, Malinke 8.8%, Dogon 8.7%, Sonrai 5.9%, Bobo 2.1%, Tuareg/Bella 1.7%, other Malian 6%, from members of Economic Community of West Africa 0.4%, other 0.3% (2018 est.) - 1787695240.298211
- [24] Malians frequently participate in traditional festivals, dances, and ceremonies. - 1787707394.665485
- [25] Languages: Bambara (official), French 17.2%, Peuhl/Foulfoulbe/Fulani 9.4%, Dogon 7.2%, Maraka/Soninke 6.4%, Malinke 5.6%, Sonrhai/Djerma 5.6%, Minianka 4.3%, Tamacheq 3.5%, Senoufo 2.6%, Bobo 2.1%, other 6.3%, unspecified 0.7% (2009 est.) - 1787695240.298211
- [26] Malian musical traditions are derived from the griots, who are known as "Keepers of Memories". Malian music is diverse and has several different genres. - 1787707394.665485
- [27] Religions: Muslim 93.9%, Christian 2.8%, animist 0.7%, none 2.5% (2018 est.) - 1787695240.298211
- [28] Some influences are kora virtuoso musician Toumani Diabaté, the ngoni with Bassekou Kouyate the virtuoso of the electric jeli ngoni, the late roots and blues guitarist Ali Farka Touré, the Tuareg band Tinariwen, Khaira Arby, and several Afro-pop artists such as Salif Keita, the duo Amadou et Mariam, Oumou Sangare, Fatoumata Diawara, Rokia Traore, and Habib Koité. Dance also plays a large role; parties are common events among friends, and traditional mask dances are performed at ceremonial events. Though Mali's literature is less famous than its music, Mali has always been one of Africa's liveliest intellectual centers. - 1787707394.665485
- [29] Government type: semi-presidential republic Capital: Bamako Legal system: civil law system based on the French civil law model and influenced by customary law; Constitutional Court reviews legislative acts - 1787695240.298211
- [30] In 2021 the population was an estimated 21.9 million, which grew from 7.7 million in 1982. - 1787707394.665485
- [31] Population: 22,634,423 (2025 est.) Median age: 16.5 years (2025 est.) - 1787695240.298211
- [32] The population is predominantly rural (69.7% in 2022), and 5%–10% of Malians are nomadic. More than 90% live in southern Mali, especially in Bamako, which has over 4 million residents. - 1787707394.665485
- [33] Urbanization: 46.2% of total population (2023) - 1787695240.298211
- [34] In 2024, about 47% were 14 years old or younger, 50% were 15–64 years old, and 3% were 65 and older. - 1787707394.665485
- [35] Major urban areas: 2.929 million BAMAKO (capital) (2023) Life expectancy: 63.2 years (2024 est.) - 1787695240.298211
- [36] The median age was 16.4 years. - 1787707394.665485
- [37] Literacy: 35.5% (2018 est.) - 1787695240.298211
- [38] The birth rate in 2024 was 40 births per 1,000, and the total fertility rate in 2024 was 5.35 children per woman. The death rate in 2024 was 8.1 deaths per 1,000. Life expectancy at birth was 63.2 years total (60.9 for males and 65.6 for females). - 1787707394.665485
- [39] Branches: Malian Armed Forces (Forces Armées Maliennes or FAMa): Army (l’Armée de Terre), Air Force (l’Armée de l’Air); National Guard (la Garde Nationale du Mali); National Gendarmerie of Mali (Gendarmerie Nationale du Mali) (2025) Expenditures: 4.3% of GDP (2024 est.) Personnel: information varies; estimated 35-40,000 active FAMa, Gendarmerie, and National Guard (2025) Equipment: the FAMa's inventory includes mostly Soviet-era weapons and equipment along with smaller quantities of more modern material from a variety of suppliers, including France, Russia, South Africa, Türkiye, and the UAE (2025) - 1787695240.298211
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