republic; multiparty presidential regime established 1960 note: the government is currently operating under a power-sharing agreement mandated by international mediators
multiparty democracy
Independence date
Religions
Muslim 38.6%, Christian 32.8%, indigenous 11.9%, none 16.7% (2008 est) note: the majority of foreigners (migratory workers) are Muslim (70%) and Christian (20%)
Christian 79.9%, Muslim 12.8%, other 3%, none 4.3% (1998 census)
Languages
French (official), 60 native dialects with Dioula the most widely spoken
Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Ghana and Liberia
Southern Africa, east of Zambia
Area
322,463 km sq
118,484 km sq
Coastline
515 km
0 km
Climate
tropical along coast, semiarid in far north; three seasons - warm and dry (November to March), hot and dry (March to May), hot and wet (June to October)
sub-tropical; rainy season (November to May); dry season (May to November)