Malecite controlled little land. Today,
descendants of the Malecite live in the
Canadian provinces of New Brunswick
and Quebec and in Maine.
#More to explore
Abnaki • Native Americans
Muslims pray at a mosque in Male. Islam is
the main religion of Maldives.
BRITANNICA STUDENT ENCYCLOPEDIA Malecite 31
Mali
Mali is a large country in northwestern
Africa. Bamako is its capital.
Mali borders Senegal, Mauritania, Algeria,
Niger, Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire,
and Guinea. Northern Mali lies within
the Sahara Desert. The Niger River runs
through the south. The land is mostly
flat. Most of Mali is hot and dry.
Grasses and mahogany, kapok, and
baobab trees grow in the south. The dry
north has few plants. Many monkeys,
snakes, and birds live in Mali. Other
animals include hippopotamuses, lions,
hyenas, gazelles, giraffes, and elephants.
Mali has a mixture of many different
peoples. Peoples who settle in one place
include the Bambara, the Senufo, the
Soninke, the Malinke, and the Songhai.
The Fulani, the Tuareg, and the Moors
often move around in search of water
and food for their animals. French is the
main language, but people also speak
local languages. Most of the population
is Muslim.
Mali’s economy depends on agriculture.
Farmers grow millet, rice, sorghum,
cotton, corn, sugarcane, and peanuts.
People also raise livestock and go
fishing.
As early as AD 300 people traded gold
and slaves across the western Sahara.
The Ghana, Mali, and Songhai empires
ruled the region in turn.
In 1591 Moroccans, or Moors, defeated
the Songhai. France took over in the late
1800s. Mali gained independence in
1960. The military ruled the country for
many years. Mali finally held free elections
in 1992.
..More to explore
Bamako • Mali Empire
Women build a house in Mali.
Facts About
MALI
Population
(2008 estimate)
12,324,000
Area
482,077 sq mi
(1,248,574 sq
km)
Capital
Bamako
Form of
government
Republic
Major cities
Bamako, Sikasso,
Segou, Mopti,
Gao
32 Mali BRITANNICA STUDENT ENCYCLOPEDIA
Mali Empire
The great empire known as Mali thrived
inWest Africa from the 1200s to the
1500s. It grew from a small kingdom
called Kangaba on the Niger River to a
vast area that included some of the most
important trading regions of the time.
Trading and gold mining made Mali
rich.
Mali was a kingdom of the Malinke
people. The founder was named Sundiata.
He took control of Kangaba in
about 1230. He then started to take over
surrounding lands that had valuable
minerals such as gold and salt. His
empire grew rapidly.
The most famous Mali emperor was
Musa. Musa was a Muslim, even though
many of his people worshipped traditional
gods. His grand pilgrimage (religious
trip) in 1324 to the holy city of
Mecca made Mali famous. It was said
that he brought with him 60,000 richly
dressed followers and slaves. It was also
said that each one of the 80 camels in
his caravan carried 300 pounds (135
kilograms) of gold.
Musa added the trading cities of Timbuktu
and Gao to his empire. He
ordered many buildings to be built in
these cities and other places. Some of
these buildings were mosques, or Muslim
places of worship, including the
Great Mosque in Timbuktu. Musa also
supported artists and scholars.
The empire began to decline in the
1400s. Some of the cities rebelled
against their Mali rulers, and others were
attacked by neighboring people. By
1550 Mali had lost most of its power.
The name Mali lives on today in the
modern country of Mali.
#More to explore
Islam • Mali
An illustrated map from the 1300s shows
the Mali emperor Musa (lower right) seated
on his throne.
BRITANNICA STUDENT ENCYCLOPEDIA Mali Empire 33
Malta
Malta is a small island country in the
Mediterranean Sea. Its capital is Valletta.
Geography
Malta lies just south of Sicily, an island
belonging to Italy. The country consists
of five islands: Malta, Gozo, Comino,
Kemmunett (Comminotto), and Filfla.
Malta is the largest island. The islands
are mostly low and rocky.
Plants and Animals
Malta’s islands have few wild plants.
Animals in Malta include hedgehogs,
weasels, shrews, and bats.
People
The people of Malta have a mixture of
Italian, Arab, English, and other roots.
Almost everyone is Roman Catholic.
English and Maltese are the main languages.
The Maltese language is a form
of Arabic, but it is written in the Latin
alphabet (the alphabet used for English).
Economy
Tourism is Malta’s major industry. Ship
repair and other services are also important.
Factories make electronics, clothing,
and plastic products. Small farms
grow vegetables, wheat, and fruits.
History
People have lived on the Maltese islands
for more than 5,000 years. Invaders
from Carthage, a city in North Africa,
arrived in Malta by the 500s BC. The
ancient Romans took over the islands in
218 BC. Arabs, Normans, and Roman
Catholic knights later ruled Malta. The
knights built many palaces and military
forts. Great Britain won control by
1814. Malta gained independence in
1964.
..More to explore
Knight • Mediterranean Sea • Valletta
Valletta, the capital of Malta, is located on
the northeastern coast of the main island.
Facts About
MALTA
Population
(2008 estimate)
412,000
Area
122 sq mi (315
sq km)
Capital
