Population 11,626,219 inhabitants. Official language French is the official language: taught in school and the language of administration, it is spoken and understood everywhere. Language spoken The variety of ethnicities reflects a diversity of languages, dialects and cultures. In particular, we can cite the most common: bamara, peul, songhoi and tamasheq (spoken by nomads who move in the north of the country). People Mali, which is a geographical crossroads, is also a human crossroads. There are indeed many ethnic groups. We can cite in particular: – The Bambara: they alone represent the largest ethnic group in the country (3 million people). – the Malinke people: they live in the Mandingo mountains and are farmers or hunters (350 000 people). – the Bozos: they live along the river and are fishermen (300 000 people). – the Bobos: they live in the area of San. – the Dogons: numbering 300,000 people, this ethnic group is one of the most famous in West Africa. – the Tuareg, the Fulani … Religion In Mali, more than 90% of the inhabitants are Muslims; 1% are Christians (among them, the Dogons and the Bobos). As for the rest of the population (9%), it is still animist. National Holiday September 22nd: National Independence Day (obtained in 1960).