According to eningbo, Mali in 2012 was a landlocked country located in the heart of West Africa. It was bordered by seven countries, including Algeria, Burkina Faso, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Mauritania, Niger, and Senegal. The country had a population of 14 million people and comprised eight regions with an area of 1.2 million square kilometers. The capital city was Bamako and the official language was French. The government in 2012 was a semi-presidential republic with Amadou Toumani Touré as president. Mali had been an independent nation since 1960 and was a member of the United Nations as well as the African Union and other international organizations. Mali had a tropical climate with two distinct seasons: wet season (May to September) and dry season (October to April). Average temperatures ranged from 21-35 degrees Celsius (70-95 degrees Fahrenheit). The geography of Mali included savannas, plateaus and rivers which supported its agricultural industry. The main crops grown were rice, millet, sorghum, maize and cotton while fishing also played an important role in providing food for local communities. Islam was the dominant religion in Mali in 2012 followed by Christianity and other traditional African religions such as Animism. The majority of the population spoke Bambara or French while some also spoke Tamashek or Songhay languages. In 2012 Mali’s economy heavily relied on agriculture which accounted for around 40% of GDP while mining accounted for another 20%. Other industries included fishing, manufacturing and textiles while tourism also played an important role due to its diverse cultural heritage including mosques, tombs and ancient cities such as Timbuktu which were all UNESCO World Heritage sites. Overall, in 2012 Mali was an exotic destination that attracted tourists from all over the world due to its fascinating culture and scenery as well as its vibrant economy which provided employment opportunities for many locals despite its limited resources relative to many other countries in West Africa. Mali is a landlocked country located in the Sahel region of West Africa. It is bordered by Algeria, Niger, Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea, Senegal and Mauritania. The population of Mali was estimated to be 17 million in 2015 and the majority of the population live in rural areas. Mali has experienced rapid economic growth in recent years but poverty remains a major issue with over half of the population living below the poverty line. The economy of Mali is primarily based on agriculture and it is one of the largest producers of cotton in Africa. Other important sectors include mining and tourism. The government has implemented various initiatives to encourage foreign investment and attract skilled workers from overseas. These have been successful in boosting economic growth but there are still many challenges that need to be addressed such as high levels of corruption and weak governance structures. The infrastructure in Mali has improved significantly over recent decades but there are still many challenges that need to be addressed. In 2015, only 60% of the population had access to improved sanitation facilities and only 77% had access to improved drinking water sources. This poor infrastructure has hindered economic development and made it difficult for businesses to operate efficiently. Investment in transport links between cities as well as improvements in telecommunications infrastructure have been key priorities for the government in recent years and these efforts have helped boost economic development throughout the country. Check commit4fitness for Mali in 2002.