Other Interesting Facts about Today's Mali

Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Mali
conventional short form: Mali
former: Gold Coast

Capital: Bamako

Flag description: three equal vertical bands of green, yellow and red.
- Green stands for nature/agriculture
- Yellow stands for wealth (Gold)
- Red stands for sacrifice made by their forefathers for independence.
The flag was adopted March 1, 1961.

Nationality: noun: Malian(s)

Currency: franc

Languages: French (official), Bambara 80% and other numerous African languages

National holiday: Independence Day, September 22 (independence from France in 1960)

Economics: Mali is one of the poorest countries in the world. About 10% of the population are nomads. 70% of the workers work in farming and fishing. The main products are cotton, millet, rice, corn, vegetables and peanuts. Cattle, sheep and goats are also raised. Cotton is its main export.

Life expectancy: 47 years

View pictures of Mali in 1997. These photos were taken by a team of archaeologists that were participating in the Mali Interactive Project-an archaeological dig headed up by archaeologists Rod and Susan McIntosh.

6th grade class in Djenne public school (69 students)	rooftop shot of housing in Djenne
sandstorm approaching city	Djenne mosque
typical kitchen in Mali	marketplace in Djenne
Tuareg camp in desert near Timbuktu	house rooftops in Mali

 

Mali Main Page

Page created by Brooks Widmaier
January 2003