Designed for the Mali-Senegal union of 1959, the flag originally included a human figure, the Kanaga, in its center. In 1960 Senegal and Mali divided. Muslims in Mali objected to the Kanaga, and on March 1, 1961, the figure was dropped. Green, yellow, and red are the Pan-African colors for many former French territories.

Mali Official name: République du Mali (Republic of Mali). Form of government: multiparty republic with one legislative house (National Assembly [147]). Chief of state: President. Head of government: Prime Minister. Population (1998): 10,109,000. Population projection: (2000) 10,751,000; (2010) 14,611,000. Natural increase rate per 1,000 population (1997): 30.0 (world avg. 15.7). Gross national product (1996): U.S.$2,422,000,000 (U.S.$240 per capita). Land use (1993): forested 5.7%; meadows and pastures 24.6%; agricultural and under permanent cultivation 2.0%; other 67.7%.

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