Mali is the seventh largest country in Africa located along the Niger River. Its size and location make it culturally and geographically diverse. Bamako, with a population of over 1.8 million people, is the capital and largest city of Mali. Mali has a population of around 13 million and is known for its arts, crafts, music, and agriculture, though it remains one of the poorest countries in the world.

1. Learning about Mali, Africa By: Lequanda Isom

2. MALI, AFRICA

3. Mali is the seventh largest country in Africa. Mali’s size and location makes it extremely diverse culturally and geographically.

4. Bamako on the Niger River Bamako is the capital and the largest city of Mail, Africa. (1,809,106 est. pop. 2009) View of Bamako

5. President of Mali, Africa Mali President AmadouToumaniTouré Malian President AmadouToumaniTouré with former U.S. President George W. Bush.

6. The Great Mosque Granaries, part of Dogon family compounds, Sanga region, Mali. The rural Mosque, Bougouni village, Mali

7. Market along the Niger River banks Mali’s population was an estimated 13million in 2009.

8. Mali is renown for its arts and crafts including pottery, Dogon wood sculptures, Taureg leatherwork, basketry, and textiles. Many works of art, such as Dogon wall paintings, represent complex mythologies.

9. Music and masquerades serve important spiritual purposes in Mali, from celebrations to funerals, secular to rituals, as well as bring the community together.

10. Mali is one of the poorest countries in the world. Mali’s key industry is agriculture. Cotton is the largest export.

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