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___ BeninA virtual guide to Benin. This page aims to give you a broad overview of Benin's art, culture, people, environment, geography, history, economy and government.Beside a country profile with facts and figures, the page contains links to sources which provide you with all the information you need to know about this African nation, e.g.: official web sites of Benin, addresses of Benin and foreign embassies, domestic airlines, city- and country guides with extensive travel and tourism information on accommodation, tourist attractions, events and more like weather information, maps, statistics and local newspapers from Benin. |
 In front of the Presidential Palais © ambassade-benin |
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Republic of Benin | Republique du Bénin |
Country Profile |
 Flag of Benin 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. Two years later, free elections ushered in former Prime Minister Nicephore SOGLO as president, marking the first successful transfer of power in Africa from a dictatorship to a democracy. KEREKOU was returned to power by elections held in 1996 and 2001, though some irregularities were alleged. border countries: Togo, Burkina Faso, Niger, Nigeria related countries: France, Haiti (Most Haitians trace their ancestry to Benin.) |
 Official Name: Republique du Bénin short form: Bénin int'l long form: Republic of Benin int'l short form: Benin formerly: Dahomey ISO Country Code: bj Time: Local Time = UTC +1h Actual Time: Sun-May-19 10:17 Country Calling Code: +229 Capital City: Porto-Novo (pop. 295 000) Political and economic capital: Cotonou (pop. 2 million) Other Cities: Abomey, Gavié, Kandi, Ouidah Government: Type: Republic under multiparty democratic rule. Independence: 1 August 1960 (fom France). Constitution: 10 December 1990. Geography: Location: Western Africa Area: 112,622 km² (43,483 sq. mi.). Terrain: Mostly flat plains of 200 meters average elevation, but the Atacora Mountains with the highest points being Mont Sokbaro 658 m, Mont Tanekas 641 m. Climate: Tropical, average temperatures between 24 and 31 C. Humid in south; semiarid in north. People: Nationality: Beninese Population: 9 million (2012) Ethnic groups: 42 ethnic groups, most important being Fon, Adja, Yoruba, and Bariba. Religions: Indigenous beliefs (animist) 50%, Christian 30%, Muslim 20%. Languages: French (official), Fon and Yoruba in the south; Nagot, Bariba and Dendi in the north. Literacy: Total population 39%; men 53%, women 25%. Natural resources: Small offshore oil deposits, limestone, marble, timber. Agriculture products: Cotton, corn, cassava (tapioca), yams, beans, palm oil, peanuts, livestock (2001) Industries: Textiles, food processing, construction materials, cement (2001) Exports partners: China 28.7%, India 18.4%, Ghana 6.3%, Thailand 6%, Niger 5.8%, Indonesia 4.2%, Nigeria 4.2% (2004) Imports partners: China 32.2%, France 13%, Thailand 6.7%, Cote d'Ivoire 5.3% (2004) Currency: Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XOF) |
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Note: External links will open in a new browser window. Official Sites of BeninGouvernement de la République du BéninThe official government of Benin portal site. Présidence de la République Official website of the Presidency of Benin. (in French) Ministère des Affaires Étrangères du Bénin Official Website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Benin. (in French) Diplomatic Missions Embassy of Benin Embassy of Benin in Washinton, DC. L’Ambassade de la République du Bénin au Canada Embassy of Benin in Canada. Ambassade du Bénin en France Embassy of Benin in France. Maps Map of BeninPolitical map of Benin. Administrative Map of BeninMap showing the administrative regions (departments) of Benin.  Google
Earth BeninSearchable map and satellite view of Benin. Google
Earth Porto-NovoSearchable map and satellite view of Benin's capital city. Google
Earth CotonouSearchable map and satellite view of Benin's economic capital and largest city. Map
of AfricaPolitical Map of Africa.  Street Scene Cotonou © ambassade-benin.org |
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NewsLa MontagneRecent news from Benin (in French) L'araignée News and cyber portal site (in French) BeninInfo Benin community website with recent news (in French) |
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Arts & CultureAbomey Historical MuseumCreated by the French colonial administration in 1943, situated on the palatial site and comprises the palaces of King Guézo and King Glèlè. African Tradition and Philosophy Private site about Voodoo tradition which is closly related with Benin and theFon and Yoruba people of West Africa. Music Angélique Kidjo SIte about the Benin born singer. Le festival de musique vaudou Orishal Orishala, the Voodoo music festival (in French). |
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Business & EconomyBank of AfricaThe Bank of Africa Group is a multinational bank in Africa. Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO) Central Bank of Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, Guinea Bissau, Mali, Niger, Senegal, and Togo. Union Économique et Monétaire Ouest Africaine (UEMOA) West African Economic and Monetary Union (in French) IZF.net, le portail de la Zone Franc CFA Information about business and investment in the African countries within the monetary system of the Franc Zone - CFA. (in French) Benin Chamber of Commerce and Industry Provides information about the chamber and business and investment in Benin. Conseil des Investisseurs Privés au Bénin Council of Private Investors in Benin, the CIPB association website. |
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Destination Benin - Travel and Tour GuidesDiscover Benin: Ganvie, Ouidah, Cotonou, Abomey, Parakou, Port-Novo, Natitingou, Pendjari National Park.Links to accommodation, hotels, attractions, festivals, events, tourist boards, tours and much more. Discover Benin Official website of tourism in Benin with extensive information about the country. Being In Benin Some information on the People's Republic of Benin. Destination: Benin A Voyage to the Source, Benin seen through the eyes of a Haitian. Fon is Fun! Discover Benin (A Five Episode Documentary) includes also Fon language greetings, basic phrases and vocabulary. Benin Travel Information and Travel Guide by Lonely Planet. |
Travel and Tour Consumer Information |
 Ouidah, Tata Sombe © ambassade-benin |
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EducationEcole du Patrimoine AfricainSchool of African Heritage, an institution for vocational training in heritage conservation in Benin. |
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EnvironmentL'Organisation Béninoise pour la Promotion de l'Agriculture Biologique OBEPABBeninois Organisation for the Promotion of Organic Agriculture (in French) Atlas of natural and agronomic resources of Niger and Benin The "Atlas of Natural and Agronomic Resources of Niger and Benin" wants to summarise spatial data related to these subjects collected within the successful 15 years lasting Special Research Programme. |
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History Benin History TimelineTimeline of events of Dahomey and Benin. |
 "Door Of No Return", a memorial to slavery at the beach of Ouidah, one of the large slave-trade ports in Africa, a main departure point for those sold into slavery between the 15th and 19th centuries. |
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SearchBeninensisIndex of Benin related internet resouces. Open Directory Project: Benin Country Profiles: Africa South of the Sahara: Benin Stanford University. Amnesty International: Benin BBC News Country Profile: Benin FAO: Benin (in French) UN Food and Agriculture Organization. FCO: Benin A UK Foreign Office country profile. travel.state.gov: Benin Benin Country Specific Information UNDP - Human Development Indicators: Benin Wikipedia: Benin Worldbank Data: Benin Wikipedia: Benin The World Factbook -- Benin |
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