Benin Travellers Guide
Benin was formerly part of French West Africa. In 1958 it became self governing and in 1960 acheived full independence. It was run as a doctatorship for some years but in the 1990's developed a plurlist political state. It is now one of the most stable countries in Africa, although still one of the poorest.
Total Area:112,620 sq km
Land Borders: Burkino Faso, Niger, Nigeria, togo
Population: 7,862,944
Life Expectancy: 53 years
HIV % Total Poulation:1.9%
Ethnic Groups: African 99% (42 ethnic groups, most important being Fon, Adja, Yoruba, Bariba), Europeans 5,500
Languages:French (official), Fon and Yoruba (most common vernaculars in south), tribal languages (at least six major ones in north)
President:Yayi BONI
GDP - Per Capita: $1,100
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.