PERUSTIETOJA MALISTA

Valtiomuoto: tasavalta Pinta-ala: 1 240 192 km2 Pääkaupunki: Bamako (n. 1,2 miljoonaa asukasta) Asukasluku: 11,1 miljonaa (1996) Virallinen kieli: ranska Lippu: Kolme tasapaksua pystysuoraa raitaa; vihreä-keltainen-punainen.	Uskonnot: islamilaisia n. 90%, lisäksi perinteisiä afrikkalaisia luonnonuskontoja sekä pieni kristitty vähemmistö Aika: -2 h Suomen aikaan verrattuna Kansallispäivä: 22.9. (Itsenäistyi Ranskan alaisuudesta 1960) Keskilämpö: Bamako tammikuu +23 °C, kesäkuu+35 °C Rahayksikkö: Malin frangi BKT asukasta kohti: 270 US dollaria (1993)

GEOGRAPHY: Mali is a landlocked republic, sharing borders with Mauritania, Algeria, Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, Guinea, Niger and Senegal. It is a vast land of flat plains fed by two major rivers, the Senegal on its western edge and the great River Niger. On its journey north the Niger converges with the River Bani, and forms a rich inland delta, the marshlands of the Macina, stretching for some 450km (280 miles) along the river's length, in some places 200km (124 miles) wide. The central part of the country is arid grazing land, called the Sahel, which has suffered great drought. At Timbuktu the Niger reaches the desert and here it turns first to the east, then to the southeast at Bourem, where it heads for the ocean. In the desert, near the Algerian and Niger borders in the northeast, the Adrar des Iforas massif rises 800m (2625ft). The north of the country is true desert except for the few oases along the ancient trans-Sahara camel routes. Tuaregs still live around these oases and camel routes. Further south live the Peulh cattle-raising nomads. The majority of the population lives in the savannah region in the south. The peoples of this region comprise Songhai, Malinke, Senoufou, Dogon and the Bambara (the largest ethnic group). GOVERNMENT: Republic. Gained independence from France in 1960. Head of State: President Alpha Oumar Konaré since 1992. Head of Government: Prime Minister Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta since 1994. Climate: subtropical to arid; hot and dry February to June; rainy, humid, and mild June to November; cool and dry November to February Terrain: mostly flat to rolling northern plains covered by sand; savanna in south, rugged hills in northeast Elevation extremes: lowest point: Senegal River 23 m highest point: Hombori Tondo 1,155 m Natural resources: gold, phosphates, kaolin, salt, limestone, uranium, bauxite, iron ore, manganese, tin, and copper deposits are known but not exploited Infant mortality rate: 119.44 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.)

Life expectancy at birth: total population: 47.5 years male: 46.09 years female: 48.96 years (1999 est.) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 31% male: 39.4% female: 23.1% (1995 est.) Economy—overview: Mali is among the poorest countries in the world, with 65% of its land area desert or semidesert. Economic activity is largely confined to the riverine area irrigated by the Niger. About 10% of the population is nomadic and some 80% of the labor force is engaged in farming and fishing. Industrial activity is concentrated on processing farm commodities. Mali is heavily dependent on foreign aid and vulnerable to fluctuations in world prices for cotton, its main export. In 1997, the government continued its successful implementation of an IMF-recommended structural adjustment program that is helping the economy grow, diversify, and attract foreign investment. Mali's adherence to economic reform, and the 50% devaluation of the African franc in January 1994, has pushed up economic growth. Several multinational corporations increased gold mining operations in 1996-98, and the government anticipates that Mali will become a major Sub-Saharan gold exporter in the next few years. Annual growth thus may fall in the 5% range in 1999-2000, and inflation held to 5% or less. GDP-composition by sector: agriculture: 49% industry: 17% services: 34% (1995) Electricity—production by source: fossil fuel: 21.88% hydro: 78.12% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996) Agriculture—products: cotton, millet, rice, corn, vegetables, peanuts; cattle, sheep, goats