Mali Travel Guide

Mali — Country and Tourist Information

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Country Facts

Location: Central West Africa.
Language: The official language is French. There are a number of local languages.
Area: 1,240,192 sq km (478,841 sq miles).
Time Zone: GMT.
Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50Hz. Larger towns in Mali have their own locally-generated supply. European-style plugs with two circular metal pins are used.
Population: 13.8 million (UN estimate 2005).
Population Density: 11.1 per sq km.
Capital City: Bamako. Population: 1.2 million (UN estimate 2003).
Government: Republic. Gained independence from France in 1960.
Head of Government: Prime Minister Ousmane Issoufi Maïga since 2004.
Head of State: President Amadou Toumani Touré since 2002.
Religion: Majority Muslim, with indigenous and Christian minorities.

Recent History

The Republic of Mali, under President Modibo Keita, gained full independence from France in 1960. Keita was victim of a coup in 1968 after which Mali was ruled by Moussa Traoré until 1991. Anti-government protests in 1991 led to a coup, and a new constitution. In 1992, Alpha Oumar Konaré won Mali’s first democratic, multiparty presidential election. Upon re-election in 1997, President Konaré pushed through political and economic reforms and fought corruption. In 2002 he was succeeded in democratic elections by Amadou Toumani Touré, a retired general who had been the leader of the military aspect of 1991 democratic uprising.

Communications

Telephone

Country Code: +223. Outgoing international calls must be made via the international operator. These are expensive and collect calls cannot be made from Mali.

Mobile Telephone

Roaming agreements exist with several international mobile phone companies. Coverage is limited to main towns.

Internet

There is an Internet cafe in Bamako. Some hotels offer access.

Media

Mali's broadcast and print media are among the most free in Africa.

Post

International post is limited to main towns and the central post office. Airmail to Europe takes approximately two weeks.

Press

• National dailies include L'Aurore, Le Republicain and L'Essor which is state owned.
• L'Independent and Info Matin are both privately owned.
• Les Echos is another daily.

Radio

• Office de la Radiodiffusion Television du Mali (ORTM) is the public broadcaster.
• Commercial radio stations include Radio Patriote, Radio Liberté and Radio Kledu.

Public Holidays

Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2011-December 2012 period.
2010
25 Dec Christmas Day

2011
1 Jan New Year’s Day
20 Jan Armed Forces’ Day
15 Mar Mawloud (Prophet’s Birthday)
26 Mar Day of Democracy
25 Apr Easter Monday
1 May Labor Day
25 May Africa Day
31 Aug Korité (End of Ramadan)
22 Sep Independence Day
6 Nov Tabaski (Feast of the Sacrifice)
25 Dec Christmas Day

2012
1 Jan New Year’s Day
20 Jan Armed Forces’ Day
4 Feb Mawloud (Prophet’s Birthday)
25 Mar Day of Democracy
9 Apr Easter Monday
1 May Labor Day
25 May Africa Day
19 Aug Korité (End of Ramadan)
22 Sep Independence Day
25 Oct Tabaski (Feast of the Sacrifice)
25 Dec Christmas Day
Muslim festivals are timed according to local sightings of various phases of the moon and the dates given above are approximations. During the lunar month of Ramadan that precedes Korité (Eid al-Fitr), Muslims fast during the day and feast at night and normal business patterns may be interrupted. Many restaurants are closed during the day and there may be restrictions on smoking and drinking. Some disruption may continue into Korité itself. Korité and Tabaski (Eid al-Adha) may last anything from two to 10 days, depending on the region.