Republic of Benin is located in the West of the African Continent with a population of 8,791,832, making it the 90th largest
national population. Its capital is
Porto Novo and its largest city is Cotonou with a total population of 761,137. The country
encompasses 110,620 square kilometers making it the 101st largest country in total area. It shares boundaries with Niger,
Nigeria, Bight of Benin, Togo and Burkina Faso.

President Thomas Yayi Boni is recognized as the both the Chief of State and Head of Government and achieves that status
through popular vote and holds that position for up to two five-year terms. Its form of government is a republic and they
celebrate the creation of their constitution on December 1990.

The languages commonly or official spoken are French, Fon and Yoruba and Tribal languages. It counts among its major
religions indigenous beliefs, Christian and Muslim. As sources of mass communication it has 2 AM, 9 FM, 4 Short Wave
and 1 Television stations.

Major geographical features are Mont Sokburo as its highest point with has an elevation of 658 meters and Atlantic Ocean
as its lowest point which has an elevation of o Meters. Its principal waterway is River Niger, which measures 150
Kilometers.

Major industries providing for the bulk of their Gross Domestic Product (GDP) are textiles, food processing, construction
materials and cement. Its official currency is Communaute Financiere Africaine franc .

Here’s something you may not know about Benin. Benin has a population that is 99% African with 42 ethnic groups of
which half maintain indigenous beliefs.
Floating village of Lake
Ganvie
Cargo boat on  Lake
Ganvie
A man with his camel in
northern Benin near
Niger and Burkina Faso
Benin is a cool little place where you can see floating villages and funny camels.  They have all
sorts of neat things, like a voodoo village and markets with colorful fabrics.  
5 Suitcases = Let's Go Now!
4 Suitcases = Put This One On the List
3 Suitcases = May Be Worth Checking Out
2 Suitcases = So Many Other Places To See
1 Suitcase = Well, I'll Go If I Have To
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BENIN
Updated 03/24/10
Adult Prevalence Rate:

People Living with HIV/AIDS:

HIV/AIDS Deaths:
1.2% (2007 est.)

64,000

3,300
Read about human rights in my
Dad's World Post Report!
Boulevard
Trois-Rivieres in
Cotonou- Benin's
largest city
Elephant in Pendjari
National Park
Village of Natitingou
below Mont Sokboro-
Benin's highest point
Porto Novo Fort on the
Atlantic Ocean-
Benin's capital and
lowest point
Aneho- Benin's
southernmost point on
the border with Togo
Azove- Benin's
westernmost point on
the border with Togo
Benin dancer in
cultural dress
Karimama- Benin's
northernmost area on
the Niger border
Kouande
Lamb in Peanut
Sauce- a favorite dish
of Benin
Segbana- the
easternmost point of
Benin on the border
with Nigeria
Porga on Benin's
border with Burkina
Faso
Malanville- a trading
center on the border
with the Niger city of
Gaya