Landlocked Mali depends primarily on gold mining and agricultural exports for revenue – cotton and gold exports make up around 80% of export earnings. Economic activity is largely confined to the riverine area irrigated by the Niger River and about 65% of its land area is desert or semi-desert. About 10% of the population is nomadic and about 80% of the labour force is engaged in farming and fishing. 

Name Republic of Mali

Capital Bamako

Frequency of elections Every five years

Name of parliament National Assembly of Mali

Parliament website www.primature.gov.ml

Languages French, Bambara, indigenous languages

Area 1 240 192 km²

Population 16 455 903 (July 2014 est)

Imports Petroleum, machinery and equipment, construction materials, foodstuffs, textiles

Exports Cotton, gold, livestock

Currency Communauté Financière Africaine franc

Source: CIA World Factbook
Image: Greatstock/Corbis