# Mali

> country in West Africa

**Wikidata**: [Q912](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q912)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mali)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/mali

## Summary
Mali is a sovereign, landlocked country in West Africa with its capital at Bamako, an area of 1,240,192 square kilometres, and a population of approximately 20.25 million people as of 2020. It gained independence on September 22, 1960, and is known for its diverse ethnic and linguistic groups, historical legacy as the Mali Empire, and membership in regional and international organizations.

## Key Facts
- Classified as a sovereign state and landlocked country.
- Capital city is Bamako.
- Area is 1,240,192 square kilometres (unit: square kilometre).
- Flag is the flag of Mali.
- Currency is the West African CFA franc.
- Timezone is UTC±00:00 (Africa/Bamako).
- Inception date is 1960-09-22.
- Member of the United Nations since 1960-09-28.
- Official language includes Bambara, French, and others such as Fula, Arabic, and ethnic languages like Tamasheq and Dogon.
- Population was 20,250,833 in 2020 (preferred value).
- Highest point is Mount Hombori.
- Lowest point is the Senegal River (elevation 23 metres).
- Coordinates are approximately 17°N latitude, -4°E longitude.
- Borders Algeria, Niger, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Guinea, Senegal, and Mauritania.
- Head of state has included Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta (2013–2020), Bah Ndaw (2020–2021), and Assimi Goïta (since 2021-05-24).
- Head of government has included Abdoulaye Idrissa Maïga, Soumeylou Boubèye Maïga, Boubou Cisse, Moctar Ouane, Choguel Kokalla Maïga, and Abdoulaye Maïga.
- Driving side is right.
- Motto is "One people, one goal, one faith".
- Anthem is "Pour l'Afrique et pour toi".
- Demonym is Malian.
- ISO 3166 codes: alpha-2 (ML), alpha-3 (MLI), numeric (466).
- Telephone country code is +223.
- Emergency numbers include 112 (general), 15 (medical), 17 (police), 18 (fire).
- Literacy rate was 33.1% in 2015.
- Life expectancy was 57.966 years in 2016.
- Gini coefficient was 36.1 in 2018.
- Human Development Index was 0.428 in 2021.
- GDP was 188.27 billion USD in 2022.
- Fertility rate was 6.229 in 2014.
- Birth rate was 41.217 in 2022.
- Death rate was 8.951 in 2022.
- Unemployment rate was 8% in 2014.
- Central bank is the Central Bank of West African States.
- National library website is http://www.primature.gov.ml.
- National anthem performed by the United States Navy Band (audio reference).
- Motto translations include French ("Un peuple, un but, une foi"), Arabic ("شعب واحد، هدف واحد، إيمان واحد"), and others.

## FAQs
- **What international organizations is Mali a member of?**  
  Mali is a member of the United Nations (since 1960-09-28), African Union, World Trade Organization, Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (since 1969), International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, African Development Bank, Interpol (since 1969-10-13), Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (since 1997-04-29), UNESCO (since 1960-11-07), Group on Earth Observations, AFRISTAT, Universal Postal Union (since 1961-04-21), International Telecommunication Union (since 1960-10-21), World Meteorological Organization (since 1960-11-11), World Health Organization, Economic Community of West African States, African Groundnut Council, World Customs Organization (since 1987-08-07), Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, and African Continental Free Trade Area.
  
- **Who has been the head of state since Mali's independence?**  
  The head of state has included Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta (served from 2013-09-04 to 2020-08-18), Bah Ndaw (served from 2020-09-25 to 2021-05-24), and Assimi Goïta (served since 2021-05-24).
  
- **What are the official languages of Mali?**  
  The official languages include Bambara, French, and several others such as Fula (Maasina Fulfulde), Tamasheq, Hassaniya Arabic, Dioula, Bambara, Pulaar, Dogon, Bamako Sign Language, and various ethnic languages like Kassonke, Minyanka, Songhay, Soninke, Tuareg, and others.
  
- **What is the capital city of Mali?**  
  The capital city is Bamako.
  
- **What is Mali's area and population?**  
  Mali has an area of 1,240,192 square kilometres and a population of 20,250,833 as of 2020.
  
- **What is the highest and lowest point in Mali?**  
  The highest point is Mount Hombori, and the lowest is the Senegal River (elevation 23 metres).
  
- **What is Mali's currency?**  
  The currency is the West African CFA franc.
  
- **What is Mali's timezone?**  
  The timezone is UTC±00:00 (Africa/Bamako).
  
- **What are the bordering countries of Mali?**  
  Mali shares land borders with Algeria, Niger, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Guinea, Senegal, and Mauritania.
  
- **What is the motto of Mali?**  
  The motto is "One people, one goal, one faith", with translations in multiple languages including French ("Un peuple, une métier, une foi"), Arabic ("شعب واحد، هدف واحد، إيمان واحد"), and others.

## Why It Matters
Mali is a significant West African nation with historical, cultural, and regional importance. As a landlocked country, it plays a key role in regional trade and cooperation, particularly through organizations like the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). Its historical legacy as the Mali Empire (a medieval West African empire) underscores its cultural and economic influence in the region. Mali also faces challenges such as poverty, security issues (e.g., conflicts in the north), and development needs, making its role in international development and regional stability critical. Membership in the United Nations and African Union positions it as a voice for West African interests in global governance.

## Notable For
- **Landlocked status and West African centrality**: Mali is a landlocked country in the heart of West Africa, making it a key hub for regional trade and cooperation despite its lack of direct access to the ocean.
- **Historical legacy as the Mali Empire**: The country is named after the medieval Mali Empire, a powerful West African state that controlled trans-Saharan trade routes and left a lasting cultural and architectural legacy (e.g., Timbuktu as a center of learning).
- **Membership in the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)**: As a Muslim-majority nation, Mali's membership in the OIC reflects its role in promoting Islamic values and regional cooperation among Muslim states.
- **Diverse ethnic and linguistic landscape**: With over 60 ethnic groups and numerous languages, Mali is a cultural mosaic, contributing to its rich heritage and challenges in national unity.
- **Role in the African Continental Free Trade Area**: Mali is a signatory to the African Continental Free Trade Area agreement, aiming to boost intra-African trade and economic integration.

## Body
### Geography
Mali is a sovereign, landlocked country located in West Africa, covering an area of 1,240,192 square kilometres. Its coordinates are approximately 17° north latitude and -4° east longitude. The country shares borders with seven nations: Algeria to the north, Niger to the east, Burkina Faso to the southeast, Ivory Coast to the south, Guinea to the southwest, Senegal to the west, and Mauritania to the northwest. The highest point is Mount Hombori, while the lowest is the Senegal River, which forms part of the border with Senegal and Mauritania. The terrain is varied, including the Sahel region in the north, the savanna in the center, and the Niger River valley in the south. The country operates on the UTC±00:00 timezone (Africa/Bamako), and vehicles drive on the right side of the road.

### History
Mali gained independence from France on September 22, 1960, replacing the Mali Federation, French Sudan, and French West Africa. Prior to colonization, the region was part of the Mali Empire (c. 1235–1670), a medieval West African empire that controlled trans-Saharan trade routes and was a center of Islamic learning. The Mali Empire's legacy includes historical cities like Timbuktu, which was a major hub for scholars and traders. Post-independence, Mali has faced political instability, including coups and transitions of power, with the current political structure including a president as head of state and a prime minister as head of government, both elected or appointed under constitutional frameworks.

### Government and Politics
Mali is classified as a sovereign state with a semi-presidential republic system. The capital is Bamako, where the national legislature (National Assembly) and executive branches are based. The head of state is the President, currently Assimi Goïta, who assumed office on May 24, 2021, following a military coup that removed the previous transitional president, Bah Ndaw. The head of government is the Prime Minister, currently Abdoulaye Maïga, appointed in August 2022. The country's constitution outlines the separation of powers, with the judiciary independent of the executive and legislative branches. The national motto, "One people, one goal, one faith", reflects the government's emphasis on national unity and shared values. The national anthem, "Pour l'Afrique et pour toi", is performed in various languages, including French, and the national flag features three horizontal stripes (green, yellow, red) symbolizing hope, wealth, and courage. The coat of arms includes symbols representing the country's history and natural resources.

### Demographics
As of 2020, Mali had a population of 20,250,833 people. The population is predominantly rural, with approximately 12.3 million people living in rural areas and 10.3 million in urban areas as of 2022. The male population was 10.7 million and the female population 10.5 million in 2020. Life expectancy at birth was 57.966 years in 2016, with a fertility rate of 6.229 children per woman in 2014. The birth rate was 41.217 per 1,000 people in 2022, and the death rate was 8.951 per 1,000 people in the same year. The literacy rate was 33.1% among adults in 2015. The Gini coefficient, measuring income inequality, was 36.1 in 2018. The Human Development Index (HDI) was 0.428 in 2021, indicating a medium level of human development. Ethnic groups include the Bambara (largest), Fula, Dogon, and others, each with distinct languages and cultures. The official languages are Bambara, French, and several others such as Tamasheq (used by Tuareg communities), Arabic, and ethnic languages like Kassonke, Minyanka, and Songhay.

### Economy
Mali's economy is primarily agrarian, with agriculture accounting for about 40% of GDP and employing most of the population. The main crops include cotton, millet, sorghum, and rice. The country is a member of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU), using the West African CFA franc as its currency, which is pegged to the French franc and the euro. The central bank is the Central Bank of West African States, which manages monetary policy and regulates the banking sector. Mali's GDP was 188.27 billion USD in 2022. The unemployment rate was 8% in 2014. Key economic sectors include agriculture, mining (e.g., gold), and services. The country is a member of the African Groundnut Council and the World Customs Organization, participating in regional trade initiatives. The national library website is http://www.primature.gov.ml, providing access to government information and resources.

### Culture
Mali has a rich cultural heritage influenced by its history as the Mali Empire and its diverse ethnic groups. The demonym "Malian" is used to refer to people from Mali. The national library is a key institution for preserving and promoting Malian culture. The national anthem, "Pour l'Afrique et pour toi", is performed in various languages, with the French version being the most common. The motto "One people, one goal, one faith" is translated into multiple languages, including Arabic ("شعب واحد، هدف واحد، إيمان واحد") and English ("One people, one goal, one faith"). UNESCO has recognized Mali's cultural heritage, with sites like Timbuktu listed as World Heritage sites. The country is known for its music, including traditional genres like Wassoulou and modern styles influenced by Western music. The national flag features green (hope), yellow (wealth), and red (courage), reflecting the country's values. The coat of arms includes symbols such as a lion, a shield, and a book, representing strength, protection, and education.

### International Relations
Mali is an active member of the international community, participating in numerous regional and global organizations. It is a member of the United Nations (since 1960-09-28), where it advocates for West African interests and development issues. The country is also a member of the African Union (AU), contributing to peacekeeping missions and regional integration efforts. Mali is part of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), reflecting its Muslim-majority population and role in promoting Islamic values. The country has diplomatic relations with over 100 nations, including Germany (since 1960-09-01), Morocco, Mauritania, Taiwan, Canada, the United States, Russia, India, China, and Bangladesh. Mali is a signatory to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and the African Continental Free Trade Area, aiming to boost intra-African trade and economic growth. The country is also a member of Interpol (since 1969-10-13) and the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (since 1997-04-29), participating in global efforts to combat crime and weapons proliferation. The national library website provides access to international publications and resources, and the country's participation in UNESCO reflects its commitment to cultural preservation and education.

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