Mali:

Mali is a West African nation situated south of Algeria, north of Burkina Faso and the Ivory Coast. The republic of Mali was formed following the disintegration of the shortlived union of the Mali Federation. The federation consisted of Senegal and the then Sudanese Republic.

The Sudanese Republic was renamed Mali. Mali is one of the largest countries in West Africa, a landlocked nation, the country has an estimated population of 11, 716, 829 people. Present day Mali is a former French colony and attained its independence on the 22nd of September 1960.

Modibo Keita was the country’s first president. He was overthrown by a military coup in 1968 and the country was ruled by a dictatorial regime until 1991 when another coup brought about political changes and the return to civilian rule a year later.

Bamako is the capital of Mali. The country is divided into eight administrative regions: Gao, Kayes, Kidal, Koulikoro, Mopti, Segou, Sikasso and Tombouctou.