Forgotten World (78): Mali
The landlocked West African country of Mali was the core of ancient empires going back to the fourth century. It was conquered by the French in the middle of the 19th century and gained its independence in 1960. Since then, it has suffered droughts, rebellions, a coup and 23 years of military dictatorship. However, since 1992, when its first democratically-elected president took power, it has had a civilian government.
Mali is the seventh largest country of Africa but one of the world’s poorest nations. 65% of its land area is desert or semidesert and several prolonged periods of drought have occurred there over the last century. Economic activity is largely confined to the riverine area irrigated by the Niger River. About 10% of the population is nomadic and some 80% of the labour force is engaged in farming and fishing. Its 14 million citizens have a life expectancy of only 47 years.