Country Background
| Located on the west coast of Africa, the Republic of Benin is bordered by Nigeria, Togo, Burkina Faso and Niger. It has an area of 43,483 square miles, including a 75 mile coastline on the Gulf of Guinea. It is warm year-round with two rainy seasons from April to mid-July and mid September to October. Benin is a beautiful country, with great beaches. The Beninese people are known throughout West Africa for their warmth and hospitality. |
This is a country with a rich history and culture. Beninese food is possibly the best in the region. There's also the fascinating culture associated with Voodooism and fetishism, and their strangely attractive artifacts. The people in the area established the biggest slave trade in West Africa and were members of a powerful kingdom. Benin has had the third-highest number of coups in Africa and was the only country in West Africa to wholeheartedly adopt Marxism. It is considered nowadays in the region as a leader in democracy.
While it shares many of the problems of its neighbors, such as bad roads and infrastructure, poor water and health conditions and institutionalized corruption, it is peaceful, is richer and economically stronger than most of its neighbors and has important tourist attractions. According to the United Nations, Benin is one of the world's least developed and poorest countries. The economy is based on agriculture, and is supported by some light industry, handicraft production, and transit trade to neighboring countries, primarily Nigeria.
Basic Information On Benin
- Location: Western Africa, bordering the Bight of Benin, between Nigeria and Togo
- Geographic coordinates: 9 30 N, 2 15 E
- Area: 112,620 sq km
- Climate: Tropical; hot, humid in south; semiarid in north
- Population: 8.2 million
- Ethnic groups: African 99% (42 ethnic groups, of which the largest are Fon, Adja, Yoruba, Bariba), Europeans 5,500
- Literacy (definition - Age 15 and over can read and write); total population: 40.9%, male: 56.2%, female: 26.5%
- Religions: Indigenous beliefs 50%, Christian 30%, Muslim 20%
- Languages: French (official), Fon and Yoruba (most common vernaculars in south), tribal languages (at least six major ones in north)
- Capital: Porto-Novo is the official capital; Cotonou is the seat of government
- Head of State: Dr. Thomas Yayi Boni
- GNI per capita 2007): $570
- GDP per capita (2007): $749
- Agriculture products: Cotton, corn, cassava, yams, beans, palm oil, peanuts, livestock
- Industries: Textiles, food processing, construction materials, cement.
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To learn more about Benin, you may want to visit these sites:
http://old.developmentgateway.org/countryprofile/index?country_iso=bj Useful links and resources about Benin.
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