To the question: "Where is Mali?" Is geography, history and economics

Among us, there are few who remember school lessons in geography. And the children, growing up, ask questions that we do not always have answers to. The baggage of knowledge should not be worn, and in order to be ready for a tricky advance, and just to broaden our horizons, we will determine where the state of Mali is.

Geography

So, Mali is found on the African continent. Its latitude and longitude coordinates are the points 14.8128 ° N, 5.5030 ° W. Its area covers 1,220,190 km ^{2 of} land and 20,002 km ^{2 of} water, which makes it the 24th largest power in the world, with a total area of 1,240,192 km ² . The population of the country is more than 14.5 million people. The density of residence in the territory where Mali is located is 12 people per square kilometer.

Looking at the physical map of the world, it becomes clear that the bulk of the country lies in the Sahara, and there is no direct access to the sea from the state. The only fertile region is in the south of the country, where the rivers Niger and Senegal provide an irrigation system.

And considering the political map, it is easy to understand where Mali is. It shares land borders with seven countries: Algeria, Burkina Faso, Nigeria, Côte d'Ivoire, Guinea, Mauritania and Senegal.

History Lessons

The territory where Mali is located was once part of three eminent empires: Ghana, Mali, and Songhai. Since the IV century after the birth of Christ, they were alternately part of the great trade route through the Sahara, along which were caravans loaded with gold, and a string of slaves. Prosperity lasted until the end of the XVI century.

However, the economic stability of the idleness and frivolity of the rulers of the vast provinces led to the fact that in 1591 the land where Mali was located was subdued by the cruel Moroccan rulers. Their power lasted until the end of the XIX century. In 1904, the territory of modern Mali fell under the protectorate of France. The era of French Sudan began, which included Senegal, Mali and Sudan. Freedom from the dominion federation was only June 20, 1960. The territory where Mali is located, proclaimed independence on September 22 of the same year.

New time

In the same year, the first president of Modibo Keita was elected. But his regime lasted only 8 years. As a result of the military coup in November 1968, Moussa Traore came to power. His attempts to reform the economy and restrain political unrest were resisted by a devastating drought, which killed thousands of people. The next coup of 1991 led to the formation of a more democratic government and the writing of a new constitution.

To this day, the official authorities of the state, where Mali is located, control only the southern part of the country. The northern territories are still under the influence of the rebel forces.

Economy

Mali today is considered one of the poorest countries in the world. The annual salary of an average employee is about 1500 US dollars. The economy of the state largely depends on agriculture.

Basically, in the territory where Mali is located, they cultivate cotton and further export it, develop cattle breeding and fish farms. However, international trade in natural resources such as gold, uranium, and salt, contributes to the formation of the budget.