Country Profile

Formal Name:  Republic of Mali 
Local Name:  République du Mali 
Government:  Semi-presidential republic
Structure:  8 regions, subdivided into 49 cercles, totalling 288 arrondissements
Formation:  22 September 1960
Motto:  Un peuple, un but, une foi (One people, one goal, one faith)
Anthem:  Le Mali (Mali)
Languages:  French, Bambara
Population:  14.5 million
Area:  1,240,192 km2 (24th)
Currency:  West African CFA franc (XOF)
Capital:  Bamako (1.9 million)