Mali is currently the seventh largest country in Africa. It shares
borders with Mauritania and Senegal in the west, Algeria in the north,
Guinea and Ivory Coast in the south, and Burkina Faso and Niger in the
east. After decades of dictatorship, in 1992, a new democratic
constitution was adopted and today Mali is one of the most politically
and socially stable countries in Africa. While Mali still has a long way
to go with their economy-they are considered to be among the 10 poorest
countries in the world-they continue to make progress and their increase
in cereal and gold production are steps in the right direction. The
fourth edition of the Historical Dictionary of Mali, through its
chronology, bibliography, introductory essay, and over 500
cross-referenced dictionary entries on important persons, places,
events, and institutions and significant political, economic, social,
and cultural aspects, provides an important reference on this African
country.