Official Name: Republique du Benin (Republic of Benin)
Currency: Franc
Current Exchange Rate: |
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Hemisphere: Northern
Continent: Africa
Location: In W Africa on Gulf of Guinea. Neighbors: Togo on W, Burkina Faso, Niger on N, Nigeria on E.
Area: 43,484 sq mi, 112,622 sq km
Form of Government: Multiparty republic with one legislative house (national Assembly 83)
Population: (2007) 8,079,000
Population Density: (2007) persons per sq mi 185.8, persons per sq km 71.7
Principal Language(s): French (official) Fon, Yoruba, tribal languages
Religions: Christian 43%, Muslim 24%, Vodoun 17%
Capital: Porto-Novo (official capital and seat of legislature)
Capital Population: 234,300
Capital Average Temperature: N/A
Major Cities: Cotonou 818,100, Parakou 227,900, Djougou 206,500, Abomey 126,800
Topography: Most of Benin is flat, and covered with dense vegetation. The coast is hot, humid and rainy.
Economy: G.D.P. $12.18 billion
G.D.P. per Capita: $ 1,500
Vital Statistics: Birth rate per 1,000 population (2006): 38.8 (world avg. 20.3) . Death rate per 1,000 population (2006); 12.2 (world avg. 8.6) Total fertility rate (avg. births per childbearing woman 2006) 5.20. Life expectancy at birth (2006) male 51.9 years; female 54.2 years
Government Website: www.gouv.bz
Reference Sources: The World Almanac 2009, The New York Times Almanac 2009, Time Almanac 2009, World Climate website.
