7%; other 66%; includes irrigated NEGL%

_#_Environment: hot, dust-laden harmattan haze common during dry
seasons; desertification

_#_Note: landlocked

_*_People
_#_Population: 8,338,542 (July 1991), growth rate 2.4% (1991)

_#_Birth rate: 51 births/1,000 population (1991)

_#_Death rate: 21 deaths/1,000 population (1991)

_#_Net migration rate: - 6 migrants/1,000 population (1991)

_#_Infant mortality rate: 114 deaths/1,000 live births (1991)

_#_Life expectancy at birth: 45 years male, 47 years female (1991)

_#_Total fertility rate: 7.0 children born/woman (1991)

_#_Nationality: noun--Malian(s); adjective--Malian

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

_#_Religion: Muslim 90%, indigenous beliefs 9%, Christian 1%

_#_Language: French (official); Bambara spoken by about 80% of the
population; numerous African languages

_#_Literacy: 32% (male 41%, female 24%) age 15 and over can
read and write (1990 est.)

_#_Labor force: 2,666,000 (1986 est.); agriculture 80%, services 19%,
industry and commerce 1% (1981); 50% of population of working age (1985)

_#_Organized labor: National Union of Malian Workers (UNTM) is
umbrella organization for over 13 national unions

_*_Government
_#_Long-form name: Republic of Mali

_#_Type: republic; the single-party constitutional government
was overthrown on 26 March 1991; the new ruling National
Reconciliation Council has promised a multiparty democracy

_#_Capital: Bamako

_#_Administrative divisions: 7 regions (regions,
singular--region); Gao, Kayes, Koulikoro, Mopti, Segou, Sikasso,
Tombouctou; note--there may be a new capital district of Bamako

_#_Independence: 22 September 1960 (from France; formerly French
Sudan)

_#_Constitution: 2 June 1974, effective 19 June 1979; amended
September 1981 and March 1985; suspended following the coup of
26 March 1991

_#_Legal system: based on French civil law system and customary law;
judicial review of legislative acts in Constitutional Section of Court of
State; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

_#_National holiday: Anniversary of the Proclamation of the Republic,
22 September (1960)

_#_Executive branch: National Conciliation Council led by the
military, following the coup of 26 March 1991

_#_Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly (Assemble
Nation