Capital: Bamako.Major Cities: Bamako (more than 1 million inhabitants according to the 1998 census), Sikasso(113,813), Ségou (90,898), Mopti (79,840), Koutiala (74,153), Kayes (67,262), and Gao(54,903).Independence: September 22, 1960, from France.Public Holidays: In 2005 legal holidays in Mali include: January 1 (New Year's Day); January20 (Armed Forces Day); January 21* (Tabaski, Feast of the Sacrifice); March 26 (DemocracyDay); March 28* (Easter Monday); April 21* (Mouloud, Birthday of the Prophet); May 1 (LaborDay); May 25 (Africa Day); September 22 (Independence Day); November 3-5* (Korité, end ofRamadan); December 25 (Christmas Day). Dates marked with an asterisk vary according tocalculations based on the Islamic lunar or Christian Gregorian calendar.