Official Name: Republic of Mali Political System: Semi-presidential system of Government. The President and the Assembly are elected by universal suffrage. The Government, led by a prime Minister, is accountable to the National Assembly.
Head of State: President Amadou Toumani Toure reelected in 2007 for another five- year term.
Head of Government: Prime Minister Modibo Sidibe
[Surface:] 1,241,021 sq.km [Population:] 12 million [Population density:] 7.9 per sq.km
[GDP per capita:] $531 [Main exports:] Gold, Cotton lint, live animals [Currency:] Franc CFA, shared with seven other West African states and issued by the Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO)
[Official language:] French [Other languages:] Bambara, Malinke, Soninke, Peuhl, Dogon, Songhoi, Minianka, Senoufo, Khassonke, Bobo, Tamasheq [Religion:] Islam (90%), Christianity (1%), Other (9%)