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Mali, the largest country in West Africa, was named after the Empire of Mali, reaching its pinnacle of power and wealth during the 14th century, extending over almost all of West Africa and controlling virtually all of the rich trans-Saharan gold trade. It was during this period that Mali's great cities, Timbuktu and Djenne, became fabled centers of wealth, learning, and culture.
In 1880 Mali was invaded by France, and for the next 80 years struggled to gain its independence. The Republic of Mali, under Modibo Keïta, withdrew from the French Community on September 22, 1960. Today, Mali is known as a stable, multi-party democratic republic.
Like Egypt, Mali is a country that is intimately related to a great river- the Niger, a critical source of sustenance and a major transportation artery. Mali is landlocked and has a subtropical to arid climate. Most of the country lies in the Sahara Desert, which produces a hot haze common during dry seasons and leads to recurring droughts. Although most of Mali experiences only negligible rainfall, the 'rainy' season in the south extends from June through September. The nation has considerable natural resources, with gold, uranium, phosphate, kaolin, salt and limestone being most widely exploited.
The Capital city is Bamako.
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Mali:
Ghana:
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