Benin

COUNTRY FLAG

COAT OF ARMS
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LOCATION MAP

AREA MAP
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INFORMATION

Capital: Porto-Novo

Government: Presidential Representative Democratic Republic

Current President: Patrice Talon

Economy:

  • Underdeveloped. Dependent on subsistence agriculture, cotton production, and regional trade.

Population: 10,879,829 (2015)

Land Size: 112,622 sq km (43,484 sq miles)

Major Ethic Groups:

  • Fon and related: 39.2%
  • Adja and related: 15.2%
  • Yoruba and related: 17.3%
  • Bariba and related: 9.2%
  • Peulh and related: 7%
  • Ottamari and related: 6.1%
  • Yoa-Lokpa and related: 4%
  • Dendi and related: 2.5%
  • Other: 1.6% (includes Europeans)
  • Unspecified: 2.9%
 Religions:

  • Catholic: 27.1%
  • Muslim: 24.4%
  • Vodoun: 17.3%
  • Protestant: 10.4% (Celestial: 5%, Methodist: 3.2%, other Protestant: 2.2%)
  • Other Christian: 5.3%
  • Other: 15.5%

Language(s):

  • French (official)
  • Fon and Yoruba (most common vernaculars in south)

Links:

RECENT NEWS

  • Thu - Aug 3, 2017: Rwanda and Benin to Set Up Joint Airline - AllAfrica News: Benin
    [New Times] The governments of Benin and Rwanda have signed a memorandum of understanding to establish a joint airline based in Cotonou, where RwandAir, the national carrier, officially launched its new hub on Tuesday, August 1.
  • Fri - Jul 21, 2017: Kenya Edge Out Benin in Davis Cup Thriller - AllAfrica News: Benin
    [Nation] Kenya made it three wins on the trot after a hard fought 2-1 victory over Benin on Wednesday night in the ongoing Davis Cup Africa Zone Three Tennis Championship at the Solaimaneyah Club in Cairo.
  • Fri - Jul 21, 2017: Angélique Kidjo and Benin's Music Stars Say No to Child Marriage! - AllAfrica News: Benin
    [Unicef] Cotonou, Benin -UNICEF international Goodwill Ambassador, Angélique Kidjo and UNICEF Benin national Goodwill Ambassador Zeynab Abib, along with seven of Benin's greatest artists have joined forces to create a song calling on the population to say NO to child marriage, as part of the national Zero Tolerance Campaign against child marriage.