The history of Mali

Mali is a landlocked country in West Africa, the 8th largest in Africa by landmass. Its capital is Bamako. Mali's population of about 19 million is comprised of different ethnic groups. The Bambara are the largest  ethnic group, accounting for about 36.5% of the population.
Other groups include the Soninke, Khassonke, Malinke, Fulbe and many more.
Up to 90% of Malians are Muslims, while 5% are Christian. The remaining 5% practice traditional African religions such as the Dogon. Modern-day Mali was once part of three prominent empires in West African: Ghana Empire, the Mali Empire, and the Songhai Empire. The Ghana Empire was the earliest of the three empires. It spanned throughout West Africa from the 8th century, until 1078, when the Almoravids conquered it. Its actual name was Wagadou Empire, Ghana being the title of its ruler. The Ghana Empire grew wealthy by engaging in trans-Saharan trade in gold and salt. In honour of this long-gone empire, modern Ghana adopted the name instead of its colonial name of Gold Coast when it gained independence in 1957.