What every visitor should know about Mali:

Money
The currency is the West African CFA franc (XOF). 100 XOF is worth about US$0.22, or €0.15.
Crime
CrimeSafe Travel Score™: 4 out of 5 (Safe)

Areas of concern:

  • Pick-pocketing / bag-snatching
  • Carjacking
  • Car theft
  • Banditry on rural roads
Capital
Bamako
Tap water
Very dangerous. Water-borne disease is widespread and purification is unreliable. Drink boiled or bottled water only.

Mali facts and figures:

People

Population
12,666,987
Language
French (official), Bambara 80%, numerous African languages
Ethnicity
Mande 50% (Bambara, Malinke, Soninke), Peul 17%, Voltaic 12%, Songhai 6%, Tuareg and Moor 10%, other 5%

Economy

GDP
US$1,200 (per capita)
Income equality
Moderate
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