Definition
GEO_ML2012 (V101_ML2012) indicates the region of Mali where the respondent was interviewed. DHS units in the 2012 Mali survey are equivalent to grouped regions.
Other sample years have their own sample-specific geography variables. There are also integrated variables GEO_ML1987_2012 and GEO_ML1995_2012, that provide spatially consistent units over time.
A GIS map for GEO_ML2012 (in shapefile format) can be downloaded from the DHS Program Spatial Data Repository [URL omitted from DDI.] Boundaries page.