Republic of Mali

Mali is a landlocked country in West Africa, bordered by Algeria to the north, Niger to the east, Burkina Faso and Côte d’Ivoire to the south, Guinea to the southwest, and Mauritania to the west. Its capital and largest city is Bamako, located in the southwestern part of the country. Mali has a diverse geography, including deserts in the north, particularly part of the Sahara Desert, and savannas and river valleys in the south, particularly along the Niger River. Mali is rich in cultural heritage and is home to several ancient cities, including Timbuktu, which was a major center of Islamic scholarship and trade. The economy is based on agriculture, mining (particularly gold), and livestock. Mali has experienced political instability and conflict in recent years, but it remains a key player in West African politics. Mali is a member of the United Nations, the African Union (AU), and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).