The Republic of Mali, a landlocked nation in Western Africa, is formerly known as French Sudan. Its capital city is Bamako and its official language is French.

In the late 1800s, Mali fell under French control, becoming part of French Sudan. On April 4, 1959, French Sudan was joined with Senegal to form the Mali Federation, which became fully independent within the French Community on June 20, 1960. The federation collapsed after 2 months when Senegal seceded. On September 22, 1960, French Sudan proclaimed itself the Republic of Mali and withdrew from the French Community.

Nowadays, Mali is considered to be one of the poorest nations in the world. Cotton is the country’s largest crop export, and 80% of its exports are gold, livestock and agriculture. Mali produces rice, millet, corn, vegetables, tobacco, tree crops, and soon, probably oil as well. The country is also quite famous for music; most well known African musicians come from Mali such as Ali Farka Touré, the Tuareg band, Tinariwen, and several Afro-pop artists such as Salif Keita, the duo Amadou et Mariam, Oumou Sangare, and Habib Koité.

This year, Mali is celebrating its 48th Anniversary of Independence.