Mali is a landlocked West African country bordered by seven nations, with Bamako as its capital. The country's geography includes the Sahara Desert in the north and fertile savannah in the south, along the Niger River. With a population of over 23 million people, Mali has a rich cultural heritage but faces significant challenges, including a low-income economy, extreme poverty, and political instability exacerbated by security crises and military coups. Key resources include gold and salt, with agriculture forming the backbone of the economy, employing most of the population.