Mali: Quick Facts

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Facts

Also Known As	Malinke empire • Mandingo empire
Date	c. 1000 - c. 1600

Photos

Detail from the 1375 Catalan Atlas by Abraham Cresques showing Mansa Musa, king of Mali, seated on a throne holding a gold coin, with a Tuareg on camelback approaching.

Map of Africa highlighting the location of Mali in West Africa, with surrounding continents Europe and Asia labeled, and the Atlantic and Indian Oceans shown. The country name Mali is marked in bold red text.

Map of western Africa showing the greatest territorial extent of major historical states from the 11th to 16th centuries. The 14th-century Kingdom of Mali is outlined in green, the 16th-century Songhai Empire in purple, and the 16th-century Hausa Bakwai states in red. Major cities, rivers, and regional names are labeled within and around these territories.

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Topics

Malinke Ottoman Empire Roman Empire ancient Egypt Biafra Belgian Congo Nubia Aksum Songhai empire Congo Free State Ghana

Guinea

Guinea

region, Africa

Mali

country, Africa

Mauritania

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Kangaba

West African kingdom

Key People

Engraving of Ibn Battuta in Egypt, standing on a decorated stone block with another man, overlooking ancient Egyptian columns and palm trees in the background.

Ibn Battuta

Muslim explorer and writer

Detail from the 1375 Catalan Atlas by Abraham Cresques showing Mansa Musa, king of Mali, seated on a throne holding a gold coin, with a Tuareg on camelback approaching.

Mūsā I of Mali

emperor of Mali

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Sundiata Keita

king of Mali