Mali, West Africa
Located in the landlocked sahel region of West Africa, the country of Mali is a country poor in resources, but rich in culture. It is home to some of the best music and musicians in the world. During my time teaching in Mali, I had a chance to meet some of these musicians, and even learn to play the kora (a 21-string harp-lute instrument) from one of them. In the southern portion of the country, life revolves around the Niger River, which provides needed water for cattle, agriculture, human consumption and hygiene and transportation.The northern part of Mali is largely comprised of the Sahara Desert. Here, one can still find caravans of camels slowly plodding through the sandy dunes, carrying salt excavated from mines, much like they did during the golden years of the Sahara trade route.
Basic Facts
Mali is a republic, but its government currently is unstable, due to a coup in 2012. In 1960, it gained independence from France. In Bamako, one can find French being spoken, but the preferred language of commerce within the country is Bambara. Over 80% of its citizens are involved with farming or fishing, which is largely confined to the region around the Niger River. Over 65% of the land is desert or semi-desert. Cotton and iron ore are being developed, which will hopefully take some pressure away from the highly volatile gold mining industry, but even cotton farming is subject to the damaging effects of drought and heat.
One of the 25 poorest countries in the year, the average GDP per capita is $1,100 (est. 2011). Literacy rate remains very low, particularly for women (20.3% - 2010 est.) and infant mortality rates persist at high levels. Of the nearly 15,500,000 inhabitants (2012 est.), around 90% are Muslim, 1% Christian (particularly in the Dogon region), and 9% retain indigenous beliefs. Aspects of traditional beliefs persist amongst most of the population. Around 50% are of Mande ethnic groups (Bambara, Malinke, Soninke), 17% Peul, 12% are Voltaic, 6% Songhai, 10 % Tuareg and Moor, and about 5% come from other ethnicities.
Source: CIA World Factbook
One of the 25 poorest countries in the year, the average GDP per capita is $1,100 (est. 2011). Literacy rate remains very low, particularly for women (20.3% - 2010 est.) and infant mortality rates persist at high levels. Of the nearly 15,500,000 inhabitants (2012 est.), around 90% are Muslim, 1% Christian (particularly in the Dogon region), and 9% retain indigenous beliefs. Aspects of traditional beliefs persist amongst most of the population. Around 50% are of Mande ethnic groups (Bambara, Malinke, Soninke), 17% Peul, 12% are Voltaic, 6% Songhai, 10 % Tuareg and Moor, and about 5% come from other ethnicities.
Source: CIA World Factbook
Bamako |
Dogon Region |
Timbuktu |
Arts |
