_#_Religion: Muslim 90%, indigenous beliefs 9%, Christian 1%
_#_Language: French (official); Bambara spoken by about 80% of the population; numerous African languages
_#_Literacy: 32% (male 41%, female 24%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.)
_#_Labor force: 2,666,000 (1986 est.); agriculture 80%, services 19%, industry and commerce 1% (1981); 50% of population of working age (1985)
_#_Organized labor: National Union of Malian Workers (UNTM) is umbrella organization for over 13 national unions
_*Government #_Long-form name: Republic of Mali
_#_Type: republic; the single-party constitutional government was overthrown on 26 March 1991; the new ruling National Reconciliation Council has promised a multiparty democracy
_#_Capital: Bamako
_#_Administrative divisions: 7 regions (regions, singular—region); Gao, Kayes, Koulikoro, Mopti, Segou, Sikasso, Tombouctou; note—there may be a new capital district of Bamako
_#_Independence: 22 September 1960 (from France; formerly French Sudan)