KQ2: Mali - levels of development vary between countries Flashcards
Background info. on Mali? (5)
- Landlocked country in West Africa.
- Threatened by drought and desertification.
- Conflicts created between north and south of Mali - rebels (Tuareg forces) joined up with Islamic groups, some with links to Al Quaida, got hold of weapons and took control of the north in 2012. - rebels imposed harsh Islamic laws on people there: banned music, making women wear headscarves - many people have fled.
- Conflicts with neighbouring countries due to corrupt governance!
- Big issues in surrounding countries also: sex trafficking, slavery, prostitution, illiterate populations, forced labour, arms smuggling.
Impact of bad governance on Mali? (6)
- Poverty
- Lack of education
- Lack of healthcare
- Fear
- Government’s attention is on fighting, not on its people’s problems.
- Spending money on troops and weapons, not healthcare and education.
Why does Mali have a low economic development? PHYSICAL factors: (6)
- Landlocked
- North lies in Sahara
- Less than 10% of land can be used to grow crops. Fertile areas are along River Niger in south.
- Susceptible to drought and desertification.
- Mali has no fossil fuel resources of its own.
- River Niger supports fishing, agriculture, local trade in the south.
Why does Mali have a low economic development? ECONOMIC factors: (6)
- Gold mining operations run by TNCs pay limited tax.
- Mali has huge solar power potential.
- 87% of GDP derives from agriculture.
- Cotton is the main agricultural export, but global prices have declined over last 10 years.
- USA subsidises cotton production within its country - Mali’s cotton can’t compete on price with American cotton.
- Govt. lacks revenue to invest in hard infrastructure e.g. roads.
Why does Mali have a low economic development? SOCIAL factors: (15)
- Become increasingly democratic from 1992 to 2012.
- Population stands at just over 14 million, growing at 3% a year.
- Less than 12% of popn. have electricity or even access to it.
- 23% of adults are literate.
- 40% of people have access to clean water.
- 48% of Malians are age 15 or younger.
- In bottom dozen on development index.
- Will only achieve 1 millenium development goal - clean water
- Only 40% of popn. within good distance from health care centre.
- 90% of women have undergone genital cutting.
- 60% of popn. are married before age of 18
- In world’s top 5 for population growth rate.
- No peace deals have been made - people are afraid.
- Africa’s 3rd gold producer, so could be very successful in this.
- Not given education to improve businesses.
What strategies could improve things? (3)
Development of ICT:
- Mali has a national policy and strategic plan for ICT, administered through the ‘Information and Communications Technology Agency’.
- One mission is to set up an empowering environment for the promotion and use of ICT in education.
- Initiatives include…
Internet in schools, university intranet, ICT introduced as a subject in first years at primary level, Community multimedia centre project which enables ICT access for villages.
When was the north taken over by Tuareg forces?
2012
How much of land can be used to grow crops?
10%
Population of Mali and growth rate?
14 million, growing at 3% a year
How much of popn have access to electricity?
Less than 12%
How many adults are literate?
23%
How many people have clean water?
40%
How many people are aged 15 or younger?
48%
How much GDP derives from agriculture?
37%
How much of popn are in good distance from health care centre?
40%
