Mali in Perspective: Orientation Guide and Tamashek Cultural Orientation: Geography, History, Economy, Security, Niger, Timbuktu, Kidal, Dogon, Senufo, Tuareg, Mande, Fulani, Maure, Bamako, Mopti

This is a professionally-formatted, free flowing ebook reproduction of unique, up-to-date guides produced by the Department of Defense that provide comprehensive information about all aspects of life in Mali, with a special emphasis on geography, history, the economy, society, security and military matters, religion, traditions, urban and rural life, ethnic groups, crime, the environment, government, holidays, gender issues and much more.

Chapter 1: Geography * Physical Terrain and Topographic Features * Climate * Rivers and Bodies of Water * Niger River * Senegal River * Major Cities and Population * Bamako * Djenne * Timbuktu * Kidal * Gao * Mopti * Segou * Sikasso * Koulikoro * Kayes * Natural Hazards * Environmental Concerns * Chapter 2: History * Ancient Empires * Ghana Empire * Mali Empire * Songhai Empire * Moroccan Invasion and the Breakup of Empire * French Colonization: French Sudan and the Federation of French West Africa * The Mali Federation * The Republic of Mali * Recent History * Chapter 3: Economy * Agriculture and Related Economic Activities * Industry * Energy Resources * Trade (Exports and Imports) * Tourism * Banking and Currency * Investment and Finance * Transportation * Standard of Living * Employment Trends * Public vs. Private Sector * Outlook * Chapter 4: Society * Ethnic Groups and Languages * Mande Peoples * Fulani Peoples * Senufo Peoples * Dogon Peoples * Songhai Peoples * Tuareg and Maure peoples * Languages * Religion * Cuisine * Traditional Dress * Social and Gender Issues * Class and Caste * Age and Gender * Health * Education * Arts * Griots or Djeli * Music and Dance * Architecture * Sports and Recreation * Chapter 5: Security * United States-Republic of Mali Relations * Relations with Neighboring Countries * Algeria * Niger * Burkina Faso * Cote d'lvoire * Guinea * Senegal * Mauritania * Libya * Military * Issues Affecting Stability * Food and Water Insecurity * Tuareg Autonomy * International Terrorism and Crime * Chapter 1: Profile * Geography * Area * Climate * Topographic Features * Sahara * Erg Chech * Taoudenni * Tanezrouft Region * Iforas Massif (Adras de Iforas, Adrar des Ifoghas) * Rivers and Lakes * Niger River * Lake Faguibine * Cities * Timbuktu * Gao * Kidal * History * Post-Independence * Government * Traditional Jobs and Economy * Ethnic Groups and Languages * Maure (Moors)/Hassaniya Arabic * Songhai/Koyraboro Senni Songhai * Tuareg/Tamashek * Chapter 2: Religion * Role of Religion in Government * Religion and Daily Life * Religious Conventions and Gender Roles * Religious Events and Holidays * Tabaski * Mouloud * Ramadan * Buildings of Worship * Behavior in Places of Worship * Chapter 3: Traditions * Codes of Politeness * Male/Female Interaction * Hospitality and Gift Giving * Types of Food/Eating Habits * Dress Codes * Non-Religious Celebrations * Dos and Don'ts * Chapter 4: Urban Life * Urbanization Issues * Urban Working Conditions * Urban Healthcare * Education and Schools * Urban Daily Life * Urban Traffic and Transportation * Street Crime and Solicitations * Chapter 5: Rural Life * Tribal Distribution * Land Distribution/Ownership * Rural Economy * Rural Transportation * Schooling * Nomadic Way of Life * Border Crossings and Checkpoints * Land Mines * Chapter 6: Family Life * Family Structure * Male/Female Interactions within the Family * Status * Elders * Children * Married Life, Divorce, and Birth * Divorce * Birth * Social Events * Weddings * Funerals * Rites of Passage * Naming Conventions