female: 48.6 years (1996 est.)

Total fertility rate: 7.25 children born/woman (1996 est.)

Nationality:
noun: Malian(s)
adjective: Malian

Ethnic divisions: Mande 50% (Bambara, Malinke, Sarakole), Peul
17%, Voltaic 12%, Songhai 6%, Tuareg and Moor 10%, other 5%

Religions: Muslim 90%, indigenous beliefs 9%, Christian 1%

Languages: French (official), Bambara 80%, numerous African
languages

Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 31%
male: 39.4%
female: 23.1%

Government
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Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Mali
conventional short form: Mali
local long form: Republique de Mali
local short form: Mali
former: French Sudan

Data code: ML

Type of government: republic

Capital: Bamako

Administrative divisions: 8 regions (regions, singular - region);
Gao, Kayes, Kidal, Koulikoro, Mopti, Segou, Sikasso, Tombouctou

Independence: 22 September 1960 (from France)

National holiday: Anniversary of the Proclamation of the Republic,
22 September (1960)

Constitution: adopted 12 January 1992

Legal system: based on French civil law system and customary law;
judicial review of legislative acts in Constitutional Court (which
was formally established on 9 March 1994); has not accepted
compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal

Executive branch:
chief of state: President Alpha Oumar KONARE (since 8 June 1992) was
elected for a five-year term by universal suffrage; election last
held NA April 1992 (next to be held NA April 1997); Alpha KONARE was
elected in runoff race against Montaga TALL
head of government: Prime Minister Ibrahima Boubacar KEITA (since NA
March 1994) was appointed by the president
cabinet: Council of Ministers was appointed by the prime minister

Legislative branch: unicameral
National Assembly: elections last held 8 March 1992 (next to be held
NA February 1997); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats -
(116 total) Adema 76, CNID 9, US/RAD 8, Popular Movement for the
Development of the Republic of West Africa 6, RDP 4, UDD 4, RDT 3,
UFDP 3, PDP 2, UMDD 1

Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Cour Supreme)

Political parties and leaders: Alliance for Democracy (Adema),
Ibrahim Baubacar KEITA; National Congress for Democratic Initiative
(CNID), Mountaga TALL; Sudanese Union/African Democratic Rally
(US/RDA), Mamadou Madeira