Mali

Mali is a country old enough to have cave-paintings that date back to the time when sahara was a blossoming paradise.but the first known king there is the empire of Ghana(remember,they established their capital in south Mauritania!)but the rebellion finally broke out by Berbers from Morroco and Mauritania in 11th century, who strongly objected to the lukewarm manner of empire embracing islam.but ironically, in 13th century, a tribe took over the government and converted into islam.and of course, taken out the monopoly of gold trade.the trade largely shaped the civilization---people gathered in some settlement(that's what modern city originated),and universities, great mosques were set up.but in the late 16th century, with the Moroccans defeated the songhai(great dynasty), the ancient capital,which played an really important role in trading and religion practise was fading. without recovery from the invades, French came but only put their attention to the coastal region.this landlocked country was lost its shine and even abandoned completely.
in 1959(it's a crucial year for many westen African countries to gain its independence),Mali and Senegal has a short romance---they united and found Senegal Union. but one year later,they splited because of (which side??)...anyway, in 1960,Mali elected(?!)its own president and it became a one-party,socialist state and withdraw from the Africa Franc zone with pride.but still, they rely much of their economy on French.besides that, they r under great pressure of Soviet millitary.the government put tight belt on all economial perspects, which was discribes as 'disastrous'. and finally lead to the bloodless coup in 1968.
it's listed in the poorest country in the world. in 2004, severe locust plague has cut the cereal harvest by 45%.UN warn the food shortage.
suffer 23 years military dictatorship, few things changed...so 'it's not an ideal place to go safari at all'.

impression from the correspondents:
* the crushing poverty tarnishes this country day by day,still, people drew on their history and deep-root culture to help see them through. Mali was once the centre of the empire and civilization 8 centuries ago,when the whole Africa was in dark ages.
nowadays, due to the imposing poverty and hard life, thousands of people crowd to the street of the capital to be petty traders.the confusion was said as 'teeming,steaming and seething'.the authorities are unfeeling---they clean up the city occationally, ignoring all those poor people and treat them as 'insects'.....
*at the same time when G8 summit hold, a poor people summit was held in a village in Mali.it's a real village---no electricity,no running water,no bed,only mats. more than 400 people attented: NGO,representatives from African countries,non-African delegators....'many African countries can't solve problems by their own. we do need help---responsible and kind help from G8.'....'Food and medical servise is important, but honesty and equality is more important to us.'