Mali

Area was home to Paleolithic settlements; was traversed by caravans from 300 BCE; Southern region was heart of great Mali Empire 12th-15th century; Moors invaded in 16th century; French controlled area from 1881; official language is French, though languages of Mande group are more widely spoken, including Bambara, Soninke, Malinké, and Dogon (non-Mande Fulani, Songhai, Senufo, and Minianka are also spoken).

Quick Facts on Mali

Go Historic ID
36687
Names
Mali
Location
Categories
Population
20,137,527 (#63 in world) (2021 est.)
Languages
French (official), Bambara 46.3%, Peuhl/Foulfoulbe 9.4%, Dogon 7.2%, Maraka/Soninke 6.4%, Malinke 5.6%, Sonrhai/Djerma 5.6%, Minianka 4.3%, Tamacheq 3.5%, Senoufo 2.6%, Bobo 2.1%, unspecified 0.7%, other 6.3% (2009 est.)
Ethnic Groups
Bambara 33.3%, Fulani (Peuhl) 13.3%, Sarakole/Soninke/Marka 9.8%, Senufo/Manianka 9.6%, Malinke 8.8%, Dogon 8.7%, Sonrai 5.9%, Bobo 2.1%, Tuareg/Bella 1.7%, other Malian 6%, from members of Economic Community of West Africa .4%, other .3% (2018 est.)
Religions
Muslim 93.9%, Christian 2.8%, animist .7%, none 2.5% (2018 est.)