Facts

Location: Western Africa, southwest of Algeria

Area (only Total) total: 1.24 million sq km

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

Population: 12,324,029

Main Language (only first): French

Government type: republic

Capital (Name): Bamako

Capital (Time Difference): UTC 0

Independence: 22 September 1960

National holiday: Independence Day, 22 September