Benin

National name: Republique du Benin

Government
Republic under a multiparty democratic rule.

Geography
This West African nation on the Gulf of Guinea, between Togo on the west and Nigeria on the east. The land consists of a narrow coastal strip that rises to a swampy, forested plateau and then to highlands in the north. A hot and humid climate blankets the entire country.

Historical Background
Present day Benin was the site of Dahomey, a prominent West African kingdom that rose in the 15th century. The territory became a French Colony in 1872 and achieved independence on 1 August 1960, as the Republic of Benin. A succession of military governments ended in 1972 with the rise to power of Mathieu KEREKOU and the establishment of a government based on Marxist-Leninist principles. A move to representative government began in 1989. KEREKOU was returned to power by elections held in 1996 & 2001, though some irregularities were alleged.

Capital

Porto-Novo

Government

Multiparty democracy

Language

phoneme

Religion

Christian

Area

Total 112,622 km2 (101st) 43,484 sq mi 

Population

estimate 8,791,832[1] (89th)  2002 census 8,500,500 

Density

78.1/km2 (120th) 202.2/sq mi

Currency

West African CFA franc (XOF)

GDP

2009 estimate Total $13.507 billion  Per capita $1,440