MALI – Country Information

Population:
Mali has a population of 19,553,397 as of 2020. 

Size:
1,240,190 sq km / 478,840 sq mi (almost twice the size of Texas)

Capital City:
The capital city, Bamako, is located on the Niger River in the southwest of the country. 

Ethnic Groups:
34.1% Bambara
14.7% Fulani (Peul)
10.8% Soninke
10.5% Senufo
8.9% Dogon
14.1% Other

Religion:
93.9% Muslim
2.8% Christian
3.3% Other / Nonreligious

Languages:
French
Bambara

Mali has 13 national languages that are widely spoken.

Geography:
Mali is a landlocked country in northwest Africa. The north of Mali extends into the south of the Sahara Desert, with 60% of Mali’s area being desert or semi desert. The south of the country also consists of savannas.

Economy:
Mali is among the 25 poorest nations in the world. The economy is mainly agricultural, also depending on gold mining for revenue.

Interesting Fact:
Mali is one of the largest countries in Africa but has a small population relative to its size.

Important Facts:
Mali is one of three great precolonial Sudanic empires. In the 19th century the French took control making it a part of French West Africa. On June 20, 1960, Mali gained independence.