Mali: A Country Profile

Capital: Bamako. Major Cities: Bamako (more than 1 million inhabitants according to the 1998 census), Sikasso (113,813), Segou (90,898), Mopti (79,840), Koutiala (74,153), Kayes (67,262), and Gao (54,903).

Independence: September 22, 1960, from France. Public Holidays: In 2005 legal holidays in Mali include: January 1 (New Year's Day); January 20 (Armed Forces Day); January 21* (Tabaski, Feast of the Sacrifice); March 26 (Democracy Day); March 28* (Easter Monday); April 21* (Mouloud, Birthday of the Prophet); May 1 (Labor Day); May 25 (Africa Day); September 22 (Independence Day); November 3-5* (Korite, end of Ramadan); December 25 (Christmas Day).

Dates marked with an asterisk vary according to calculations based on the Islamic lunar or Christian Gregorian calendar.