1200s: Sundiata consolidates a vast empire stretching over most of West Africa and including many different peoples.

1900s: A colony for many years, Mali receives her independence from France in 1960. The former French colonies are divided into many different countries, often with disputed borders. An ongoing border conflict with Burkina is not resolved until 1986.

1200s: The Keita clan rules the Malinke people, and Sundiata's empire includes many ethnic groups throughout West Africa. Sundiata divides Mali into administrative regions, remaining chief ruler of the region.

1900s: Members of the Keita clan remain chiefs of a province in Mali, but the government is now a republic.

1990s: President Alpha Oumar Konare is elected in 1992. Prime Minister Ibrahim Boubacar Keita heads the government elected in 1994..

1200s: Mali is largely an agricultural state, with gold and salt mining later providing additional trading materials. The unit of exchange is...