Discover Mali: Land of Empires and Culture

Explanation: Bamako, located on the banks of the Niger River, is Mali's largest city with over 2 million inhabitants. It is the country's economic and administrative center.

Explanation: Mali declared independence on September 22, 1960, first within the Mali Federation with Senegal, then alone after the federation dissolved. Modibo Keïta became the first president.

Explanation: The Niger River, Africa's third-longest river, crosses Mali for about 1,700 km. It forms a characteristic arc and is a vital source of water for agriculture and transportation.

Explanation: The Mali Empire (13th-16th centuries) controlled the gold mines of Bambuk and Bure, making it one of the wealthiest empires of its time. This wealth was supplemented by salt trade.

Explanation: Timbuktu was a major trade crossroads and home to the University of Sankore, one of the world's first universities. Its libraries contained hundreds of thousands of ancient manuscripts.

Explanation: Mansa Musa reigned from 1312 to 1337 and his hajj in 1324-1325 was memorable for his excessive generosity with gold, even causing inflation that lasted several years in the Middle East.

Explanation: Although French is the official language inherited from colonization, Mali officially recognizes 13 national languages, including Bambara which is spoken by about 80% of the population.

Explanation: The Sahara covers about two-thirds of northern Mali. This desert region contrasts with the more fertile south, creating great geographic and climatic diversity in the country.

Explanation: The Great Mosque of Djenné, built with banco (mud brick), is the largest mud brick building in the world. It is rebuilt every year during a community festival called "replastering".

Explanation: The kora, a 21-string harp-lute, is the iconic instrument of West African griots. These traditional musicians are the keepers of oral history and family genealogies.

Explanation: With 1,240,192 km², Mali is the eighth largest country in Africa and about twice the size of France. It is landlocked, with no access to the sea.

Explanation: Mali shares borders with seven countries: Algeria, Niger, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Guinea, Senegal, and Mauritania, making it a strategic country in West Africa.

Explanation: Gold remains Mali's main export resource, representing about 70% of export revenues. The country is Africa's third-largest gold producer after South Africa and Ghana.

Explanation: The Festival in the Desert, originally held near Timbuktu, celebrates Tuareg and Saharan music. It helped bring Mali's musical richness and desert peoples to global attention.

Explanation: Operation Serval, launched by France in January 2013, aimed to stop the advance of jihadist armed groups toward southern Mali. It was followed by Operation Barkhane and UN missions.