Mali
Capital
Bamako
Population
~21.9 million
Currency
West African CFA franc (XOF)
Quick Facts
- Languages
- French
- Religion
- Islam
- Climate
- Arid to semiarid; hot and dry
Culture & History
Known for: its ancient Mali Empire, music traditions, and desert landscapes
Also famous for: Timbuktu, the Niger River, and the Dogon people
Food: Tô (millet porridge)
Brief History
Ancient Mali Empire; French colony; gained independence in 1960; faces challenges with desertification and conflict