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Mali Facts & Worksheets

Mali is a landlocked country in West Africa that anciently became wealthy because of its trade routes through the Sahara.

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Mali is a landlocked country in West Africa that anciently became wealthy because of its trade routes through the Sahara. In the 4th century, Mali was a great empire. The capital and most populated city of Maki is Bamako.

See the fact file below for more information on the Mali or alternatively, you can download our 22-page Mali worksheet pack to utilise within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

HISTORY

  • The Mandé people founded different kingdoms in the Sahel, a big area that includes Mali. These kingdoms were the Ghana Empire, the Mali Empire, and the Songhai Empire.
  • Timbuktu was an essential city in these empires because a lot of trade across the Sahara Desert took place there. Timbuktu was also a great place for learning. The Songhai Empire was reduced in size after a Moroccan attack in 1591.
  • In 1880, France invaded Mali. After that, France controlled the country. The names of the colony were French Sudan and the Sudanese Republic.
  • In early 1959, Mali and Senegal united and became the Mali Federation.
  • On June 20, 1960, the Mali Federation became independent from France.
  • Senegal left the Mali Federation several months later.
  • On September 22, 1960, the Republic of Mali, with Modibo Keïta as the first president, left the French Community.
  • In 1968, there was a coup in Mali.
  • Modibo Keïta lost his job and was put in jail.
  • Mali was then governed by Moussa Traoré until 1991.
  • After protests against the government, there was a different coup in 1991, and a new constitution was made.
  • Mali was then led by Amadou Toumani Touré.
  • In 1992, Alpha Oumar Konaré won the first democratic election in Mali. He won again in 1997, and he made huge political and economic changes.
  • In 2002, Amadou Toumani Touré won the election. He started his second term as head of state. Amadou Toumani Touré was a retired general, and he had been the military leader of the 1991 coup.
  • Now, Mali is one of the most politically and socially stable countries in Africa.

REGIONS AND CERCLES

  • Mali is divided into eight regions and one district. The country is further divided into 49 cercles, containing 288 “arrondissements” and 703 communes.
  • The regions and districts are Gao, Kayes, Kidal, Koulikoro, Mopti, Ségou, Sikasso, Tombouctou (Timbuktu), and Bamako (capital district).

GEOGRAPHY

  • Mali is the world’s 24th-largest country, and it covers a land area of 1,240,000 km² (478,734 mi²). Mali is similar in size to South Africa, and it is two times bigger than Texas.
  • Mali is a landlocked country with no access to the sea.
  • Mali has dry weather.
  • Mali does not have many mountains.
  • There are flat regions in the north, which are covered by sand, and there is savanna encompassing the Niger River in the south.
  • Most of Mali is in the Sahara Desert. Therefore, there is a hot, dusty haze in the dry seasons.
  • There are numerous natural resources in Mali, including gold, uranium, phosphates, kaolinite, salt, and limestone.

ECONOMY

  • Mali is one of the poorest countries in the world.
  • 65% of its land area is desert or something similar. Therefore, most economic activity is near the Niger River.
  • About 10% of the people are nomads, and 80% of workers have jobs in the farming and fishing industries.
  • The largest industry in Mali is the processing of farm products.
  • Women also make pottery. Many foreign tourists like the traditional ways that the women make their pots.
  • The main export of Mali is cotton.
  • Mali also gets a lot of financial help from other countries.
  • In 1997, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) suggested a program for changing the economy, and the government followed this.
  • Different international companies began digging for larger amounts of gold between 1996-1998, and the government thinks that Mali will become an important gold exporter soon.

DEMOGRAPHICS

  • People living in Mali are called Malian(s).
  • Malians came from these racial groups: Mandé (Bambara, Malinke, Soninke): 50%; Peul (Fula/Fulani): 17%; Voltaic: 12%; Songhai: 6%; Tuareg and Moor: 10%; and Others: 5%
  • 90% of the religion in Mali is Islam, 9% is the Traditional Mali Beliefs, and  1% is Christianity.
  • The official language of Mali is French. About 80% of the population in Mali can speak Bambara and numerous African languages.

CULTURE

  • The different everyday culture of Malians reflects the country’s ethnic and geographic diversity. Different groups, such as the nomadic Tuareg, Fulani, Bozo fishers, Bambara, as well as the Dogon farmers and other ethnic groups of Mali, all have their own unique languages and history, yet they generally interact politely with each other.
  • Malian music and literature have both been greatly influenced by longtime oral storytelling. Traditional storytellers called griots usually perform at weddings and other special events.
  • The colorful flowing robes most locals wear are called boubous.
  • The handmade cotton mud cloth fabric also plays a significant role in Mali’s culture and economy.
  • Even though most of the population is Muslim, Christian holidays are also observed, and businesses close for half-days on Friday and Sunday, as well as all day on Saturdays.
  • Most Malians are respectful to guests who give equal respect to their religious and cultural beliefs.

Mali Worksheets

This is a fantastic bundle which includes everything you need to know about the Mali across 22 in-depth pages. These are ready-to-use Mali worksheets that are perfect for teaching students about the Mali which  is a landlocked country in West Africa that anciently became wealthy because of its trade routes through the Sahara. In the 4th century, Mali was a great empire. The capital and most populated city of Maki is Bamako.

Complete List Of Included Worksheets

  • Mali Facts
  • Front Page
  • Regions of Mali
  • Bordering Countries
  • Mali Timeline
  • Presidents of Mali
  • Geographical Facts
  • Demographics Crossword
  • Top Products
  • Trip to Mali
  • Economic Campaign

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Link will appear as Mali Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com - KidsKonnect, August 12, 2020

Use With Any Curriculum

These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.

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