About Mali

	Country Overview
	Mali owes its name to the prestigious Empire of Mali, which, according to historians, was the most powerful state of Africa, south Sahara, in the middle ages. Mali became part of the French West Africa by the end of the 19th century. Prior to independence from France in 1960, Mali was known as the French Sudan (soudan Francais). Over 1,241,000km2, Mali is the largest country in West Africa. It's bordered by Algeria to the North, Senegal to the west, Mauritania to the northwest, Niger to the east, Burkina Faso and Cote d'Ivoire to the south.
	Mali has over 10 million inhabitants and its is divided into eight administrative regions: Kayes, kouliloro, Sikasso, Segou, Mopti, Tombouctou, Gao, Kidal and the District of Bamako, the capital.
	Quick Facts
	Unesco's world heritage sites: Cliffs of Badiangara, Djenne and Timbuktu
	Key Country Data
	Region Africa Location Western Africa Country name The Republic of Mali Capital Bamako Area Total 1,240,000km2 Population 10,441,300 June 2003 Languages French (official), Bambara Currency CFA Francs ( $1 = 6oo CFA Francs) Average temperature 27 degree Celsius Time zone GMT Voltage requirement 220 Volts Country phone code 223
	Maps
	Regional, Administrative