Country: Republic of Mali

Population: 15.4 million (UN, 2010 estimate)

Capital: Bamako

Area: 1.25 million sq km (482,077 sq miles)

Main languages: French, Bambara & other local languages

Main religions: Islam

Life expectancy: 53 (WHO, 2009)

Literacy Rate: Adult [15+] 26%, Youth [15-24] 39% (UNESCO, 2006)

Urban Population (% of total): 33% (UN, 2009)

Population under 18 years: 6.6 million (UN, 2009)

Child mortality: 191 children in every 1,000 likely to die before 5 years (WHO, 2009)

Child nutrition: 28% of children below 5 years underweight (WHO, 2000-2009)

Number of children (0-17) who have lost one/both parents: 690,000 (UNICEF, 2009)