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Glite Dictionary
French Sudan

French Sudan

8.8
The former name of the country now called Mali when it was ruled by France until 1960
  • proper noun
translation icon : Sudán francés
  • The territory known as French Sudan gained independence from France in 1960 and was renamed Mali.

Examples

  • Historical documents refer to Bamako as the capital of French Sudan before independence.

  • During the colonial period, French Sudan was administered as part of French West Africa.

  • French Sudan was significant.

  • What is French Sudan known for?

  • During the colonial period, French Sudan was administered as part of French West Africa.

  • Historical documents refer to Bamako as the capital of French Sudan before independence.

  • The territory known as French Sudan gained independence from France in 1960 and was renamed Mali.

Synonyms

Mali
vsFrench Sudan
35 4.1

A country in West Africa known for its long history and culture

is the old colonial name used before the country's independence in 1960
Republic of Mali
vsFrench Sudan
4.4

A country in northwestern Africa with no coast that became independent from France in 1960

is the colonial era name used before independence in 1960

Surface Forms

French Sudan main

Morphology

French + Sudan

This is a straightforward adjective+noun composition: a B1 learner who knows 'French' and 'Sudan' can infer it means the Sudan territory associated with France (i.e., French-controlled/colonial Sudan). The exact historical detail that it refers to present-day Mali requires background knowledge, but the core relation is directly derivable from the constituents.

Etymology

French Sudan comes from the time when this part of West Africa was ruled by France; the name joins French, meaning the ruler, and Sudan, an old word for the lands south of the Sahara. So the name meant the part of the Sudan region France controlled, and later that area became the independent country Mali.