Mali is landlocked in the heart of west Africa. Its mostly flat terrain comprises virtually uninhabited Saharan plains in the north and more fertile savanna land in the south, where most of the population live. The Niger river irrigates the central and southwestern regions. Mali achieved independence from France in 1960. Multiparty democratic elections under a new constitution, in 1992 and then in 1997, provoked accusations of severe irregularities.

Mali's most significant ethnic group, the Bambara, is also politically dominant. The Bambara speak the lingua franca of the Niger river, which is shared with other groups including the Malinke. The relationship between the Bambara– Malinke majority and the Tuareg nomads of the Saharan north is tense and sometimes violent. The extended family is a vital social security system and link between the urban and rural poor. There are a few powerful women in Mali but, in general, women have little status.

Strengths

Producer of high-quality cotton. Irrigation potential from the Niger and Senegal rivers. Rapid expansion of gold production now under way.

Weaknesses

Serious poverty and underdevelopment. Communications difficulties of vast landlocked country. Drought-prone climate. Cotton exports vulnerable to low world prices.

The successful transition to multiparty politics in 1992 followed the overthrow in the previous year of Moussa Traoré, Mali's dictator for 23 years. The army's role was crucial in leading the coup, while Col. Amadou Toumani Touré, who acted as interim president, was responsible for the swift return to civilian rule in less than a year. For a decade President Alpha Oumar Konaré's ADEMA government attempted to alleviate poverty while placating the opposition. However its economic austerity measures proved unpopular. Col. Touré was returned to power in the 2002 presidential elections, resoundingly defeating the ADEMA candidate after all main opposition parties rallied behind him. Maintaining good relations with the Tuaregs remains a key issue.

Mali concentrates on maintaining good relations with the ECOWAS countries to its south and northern neighbors such as Algeria. Relations with Libya, which is suspected of fomenting Tuareg revolt, are tense. There are good relations with the USA and other Western aid providers.

Mali's 7800-strong armed forces have stayed out of politics since the overthrow of President Traoré in 1991.

Gold deposits are now being mined, and prospecting is under way for tungsten, diamonds, and oil. Exploitation of natural resources is hampered by Mali's poor infrastructure and landlocked situation. Electric power comes from the Selingue dam on the Niger and the Manantali dam on the Senegal. The latter produced its first electricity in 2001 – 13 years after it was completed.

Severe drought in 1983 destroyed herds and accelerated desertification and deforestation. The Selingue dam seriously affects the levels of the Niger, even in years of good rainfall.

Mali is linked by rail with the port of Dakar in Senegal, and by good roads to the port of Abidjan in Ivory Coast.

A four-year program began in 1998, with the aim of higher immunization rates for children and more health care access.

Only 25% of children go to primary school and just 7% to secondary school. A ten-year program to raise education levels for girls was launched in 2001.

Crime is not particularly prevalent compared with some other countries in the region, owing at least in part to the relative lack of urbanization. In towns, robbery, juvenile delinquency, and smuggling are problems.

Poverty is widespread, and wealth is limited to a very small group; Malians disapprove of flaunted wealth and public ostentation is rare.

Tourism is largely safari-oriented, though the historic cities of Djénné, Gao, and Mopti, lying on the banks of the Niger river, also attract visitors. A national domestic airline began operating in 1990.

Mali was a major trans-Saharan trading empire. The French colonized the area between 1881 and 1895.

• 1960 Independence.
• 1968 Coup by Gen. Moussa Traoré.
• 1990 Pro-democracy demonstrations.
• 1991 Traoré arrested.
• 1992 Free multiparty elections.
• 1997 President Konaré and ADEMA party reelected in disputed polls.
• 2002 Col. Touré elected president.