Mali: A Vast Nation
Location of present day Mali in Africa
Today, Mali is the eights largest country in Africa[i], about four-fifths the size of Alaska[ii]. It is still located in a similar location to the previous empire, but is now landlocked. Most of the country lies in the Sahara, and it is bordered by Guinea, Senegal, Mauritania, Algeria, Niger, Burkina Faso, and the Côte d'Ivoire[iii]. The only fertile area is where the Niger and Senegal rivers provide water for irrigation in the south[iv]. There is not much wildlife, and the nation is still a fairly new one, only independent since 1960[v]. It is currently republican[vi], although it has suffered though many political changes, including military and one-party rule[vii]. Despite being one of the poorest countries in the world, it has experienced rapid economic growth after the 1990s, in addition to a flourishing democracy and relative social stability[viii]. Currently, a wide variety of people occupy the area, made up of eight main ethnic groups[ix]. Three-quarters of the population lives in villages, towns, or cities, which the remaining one-quarter are nomadic[x]. The ethnic groups like in well defined areas, with very little overlap, but because of drought, more people are forced to leave their homelands and move into cities, where the groups are becoming more mixed[xi]. The Mandinka make up about a half of Mali's entire population, and are divided into three ethenic subgroups: The Banbaba (who make up 30%), the Sarakole, and the Songhay[xii]. Other groups in Mali include the Bozo people, the Peul people, the Tuareg people, and the Dogon people[xiii]. The dominant religion in the area remains Islam, although Christianity and Animism are practiced as well[xiv]. The economy continues to be based on farming, salt, and gold, as well as fishing and livestock[xv]. Culture continues to be immortalized though various arts, such as weaving, music, and dance, and many festivals are held each year. Despite the hard times, and the glorious ages, Mali continues to persevere.