Geography
The
Sudanese Republic and Senegal became independent of France in 1960 as the Mali
Federation. When Senegal withdrew after only a few months, what formerly made up
the Sudanese Republic was renamed Mali. Rule by dictatorship was brought to a
close in 1991 with a transitional government and in 1992 when Mali's first
democratic presidential election was held. After his reelection in 1997,
President Alpha KONARE continued to push through political and economic reforms
and to fight corruption. In keeping with Mali's two-term constitutional limit,
he stepped down in 2002 and was succeeded by Amadou TOURE.
Sudanese Republic and Senegal became independent of France in 1960 as the Mali
Federation. When Senegal withdrew after only a few months, what formerly made up
the Sudanese Republic was renamed Mali. Rule by dictatorship was brought to a
close in 1991 with a transitional government and in 1992 when Mali's first
democratic presidential election was held. After his reelection in 1997,
President Alpha KONARE continued to push through political and economic reforms
and to fight corruption. In keeping with Mali's two-term constitutional limit,
he stepped down in 2002 and was succeeded by Amadou TOURE.
LocationWestern
Africa, southwest of Algeria
Geographic
coordinates: 17
00 N, 4 00 W
Map
references:Africa
Area:total:
1.24 million sq km
land: 1.22 million sq km
water: 20,000
sq km
Area
- comparative:slightly
less than twice the size of Texas
Land
boundaries: total:
7,243 km
border countries: Algeria 1,376 km, Burkina Faso 1,000 km,
Guinea 858 km, Cote d'Ivoire 532 km, Mauritania 2,237 km, Niger 821 km, Senegal
419 km
Coastline:0
km (landlocked)
Maritime
claims:none
(landlocked)
Climate:subtropical
to arid; hot and dry February to June; rainy, humid, and mild June to November;
cool and dry November to February
Terrain:mostly
flat to rolling northern plains covered by sand; savanna in south, rugged hills
in northeast
Elevation
extreme lowest
point:
Senegal River 23 m
highest point: Hombori Tondo 1,155 m
Natural
resources:gold,
phosphates, kaolin, salt, limestone, uranium, gypsum, granite, hydropower
note: bauxite, iron ore, manganese, tin, and copper deposits are
known but not exploited
Africa, southwest of Algeria
Geographic
coordinates: 17
00 N, 4 00 W
Map
references:Africa
Area:total:
1.24 million sq km
land: 1.22 million sq km
water: 20,000
sq km
Area
- comparative:slightly
less than twice the size of Texas
Land
boundaries: total:
7,243 km
border countries: Algeria 1,376 km, Burkina Faso 1,000 km,
Guinea 858 km, Cote d'Ivoire 532 km, Mauritania 2,237 km, Niger 821 km, Senegal
419 km
Coastline:0
km (landlocked)
Maritime
claims:none
(landlocked)
Climate:subtropical
to arid; hot and dry February to June; rainy, humid, and mild June to November;
cool and dry November to February
Terrain:mostly
flat to rolling northern plains covered by sand; savanna in south, rugged hills
in northeast
Elevation
extreme lowest
point:
Senegal River 23 m
highest point: Hombori Tondo 1,155 m
Natural
resources:gold,
phosphates, kaolin, salt, limestone, uranium, gypsum, granite, hydropower
note: bauxite, iron ore, manganese, tin, and copper deposits are
known but not exploited