There are few among us who remember school geography lessons. And children, growing up, ask questions to which we do not always have answers. Do not carry the luggage of knowledge behind you, and in order to be ready for the tricky in advance, and just to expand your horizons, we will determine where the state of Mali is.
Geography
So, Mali is found on the African continent. The coordinates of its latitude and longitude were points 14.8128 ° N, 5.5030 ° W. Its area covers 1,220,190 km 2 of land and 20,002 km 2 of water, making it the 24th largest power in the world, with a total area of 1,240,192 km 2 . The country's population is more than 14.5 million people. The density of residence in the territory where Mali is located is 12 people per square kilometer.
Looking at the physical map of the world, it becomes clear that the main part of the country lies in the Sahara, and the state has no direct access to the sea. The only fertile region is located in the south of the country, where the Niger and Senegal rivers provide an irrigation system.
And looking at the political map, it is easy to understand where Mali is. It shares land borders with 7 countries: Algeria, Burkina Faso, Nigeria, Côte d'Ivoire, Guinea, Mauritania and Senegal.
History lessons
The territory where Mali is located was once part of three prominent empires: Ghana, Mali, and Songaya. Beginning in the 4th century after the birth of Christ, they were alternately part of the great trade route through the Sahara, along which caravans loaded with gold, and swirls of chains followed. Prosperity lasted until the end of the 16th century.
However, economic stability, the idleness and frivolity of the rulers of the vast provinces led to the fact that in 1591 the region where Mali was located was conquered by the brutal Moroccan rulers. Their power lasted until the end of the 19th century. In 1904, the territory of modern Mali came under the protectorate of France. The era of French Sudan began, which included Senegal, Mali and Sudan. The federation received freedom from dominion only on June 20, 1960. The territory where Mali is located declared independence on September 22 of the same year.
New time
In the same year, the first president of Modibo Keita was elected. But his regime lasted only 8 years. As a result of the military coup in November 1968, Mussa Traore came to power. His attempts to reform the economy and restrain political unrest were opposed by a devastating drought, which killed thousands of people. The next coup in 1991 led to the formation of a more democratic government and the writing of a new constitution.
To this day, the official authorities of the state where Mali is located control only the southern part of the country. The northern territories remain under the influence of rebel forces.
Economy
Mali is today considered one of the poorest nations in the world. The average salary for an average employee is around $ 1,500. The state economy is heavily dependent on agriculture.
Mainly in the territory where Mali is located, they are engaged in the cultivation of cotton and its further export, the development of cattle breeding and fisheries. However, international trade in natural resources such as gold, uranium, and salt makes a certain contribution to budgeting.