Antosh

Major Government: **Republic** Current leader or president: **Amadou Toumani Touré** Brief history of the country including any important people and major wars: Currency: **The unit of currency is the Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (CFA) which is equivalent to 100 centimes. It exchanged at CFAF647.25 for US$1 in January 2000 a depreciation from CFAF499.15 in 1995.** Major cultural traditions and (holidays/foods etc..): **Folk music in Mali is based on the traditions of the Bambara, Soninke, and Malinke peoples, known collectively as the Mande. Traditional musical instruments include the kora, a large stringed instrument; ngoni, similar to a lute; and several types of drums**. **As in many West African countries, staple foods in Mali include rice, millet, sweet potatoes, plantains, beans and manioc. Common dishes in Mali are poulet yassa (grilled chicken in sauce), riz yollof (vegetables or meat cooked in tomato sauce) and couscous**. . Climate**: subtropical to arid; hot and dry (February to June); rainy, humid, and mild (June to November); cool and dry (November to February)** Population: **11,995,402** Geography: **478,767 sq. mi. Landlocked west African country southwest of Algeria, occupying a region known as Sahel** . Major tourist attractions and or historical sights:**Tourism has contributed little to the services sector, despite Mali**'**s undisputed potential attraction for culture, adventure, and eco-tourism. Its attractions include Djenne, a UNESCO site of world heritage; Timbuktu, which although dilapidated still retains international allure; and the Bandiagara escarpement which is home to the Dogon. The Dogon are said to be one of the most ethnologically exotic and visually spectacular of all African traditional cultures.** . Median Family Income:**$380.00**
 * //__MALI: BY ALLI ANTOSH__//**
 * ** Languages Spoken: **French, Bambara,Dioula, and Dogon**
 * ** Languages Spoken: **French, Bambara,Dioula, and Dogon**
 * The Republic of Mali, one of the largest countries in West Africa, is also one of the poorest countries in the world. Environmental problems such as drought and desertification threaten the Mali's economy.Several ethnic groups are found in the country. The Bambara are the largest group, accounting for 33 percent of the total population. The Soninke and the Malinke live in western Mali, and make up about 17 percent of the population. Fula, who are primarily herdsmen, account for another 17 percent. Minority groups include the Songhai (6 percent of the population), the Senoufo (12 percent), the Dogon (7 percent), and the Tuareg and Moor (10 percent).**
 * Major Resources: Gold, phosphate, kaolin, salt, and limestone currently mined; deposits of bauxite, iron ore, manganese, lithium, and uranium are known or suspected**



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 * Klobuchar,Lisa. Afircans of the Ghana,Mali and Songhai Empires,2009**