Guide Note

The Republic of Benin is a west African country on the Bight of Benin bordered by Togo, Nigeria, Burkina Faso, and Niger.

Fast Facts

Capital: Porto Novo
Government: Multiparty democracy
Independence from France: August 1, 1960
Population: 8,439,000 (2005) Est
Currency: West African CFA franc (XOF)
Official Languages: French
Religion: Christian, Muslim, Vodoun
Time Zone: West Africa Time (UTC +1)
International Dialing Code: +229
Internet TLD: .bj
Motto: "Ubumwe, Ibikorwa, Iterambere" (Unity, Work, Progress)
Anthem: Burundi bwacu
Area: 43,483 square miles

A Post-Colonial Success Story

After independence from France, Berin was ruled by a series of military and Marxist governments until 1989, when the transition to a representative government began. In 1991, democratic elections were held, marking the first time a post-colonial African nation successfully transformed itself into a representative democracy.

Categories

Geography | Travel | Countries | Africa

View Note History

Benin

The Mahalo Top 7

Official Site: Translated version Governement Du Benin
Wikipedia: Benin
BBC: Country profile: Benin
CIA World Factbook: Benin
U.S.Department of State: Benin
Portals to the World: Benin
National Geographic: Benin

Benin News

Fraternite-Info.Com: Daily News
Le Bénin: Goverment owned Daily News
Google News:Benin
allAfrica.com: Benin News
Stanford University Lair: Benin Newspapers and News on the Internet

Benin Travel Information

Official Website of Tourism: Tourism in Benin
U.S.Department of State: Benin Country Specific Information
The Africa Guide: Travel Guide to Benin - Africa
Wikitravel: Benin Travel Guide
World Travel Guide: Benin Travel Guide

Benin Politics

Official Site: Governement Du Benin
Wikipedia: Politics of Benin
Portals to the World: Government, Politics, Law: Benin
Columbia University Libraries: African Studies: Benin
Encyclopedia of the Nations: Benin - Political parties
International Constitutional Law: Mauritania

Benin Facts and History

Official Site: Governement Du Benin History
Wikipedia: History of Benin
BBC: Timeline: Benin
Encyclopedia of the Nations: Benin - History
University of Pennsylvania Museum: Benin Bronze and History

Benin Maps and Geography

Official Site: Governement Du Benin Geography
University of Pennsylvania: Facts About the Republic of Benin
Every Culture: Culture of Benin
Geographic.org: Benin Geography
Merriam-Webster: Geography - Benin
Maps of World.com: Benin Geography

Benin Capital

Mahalo's page on Porto-Novo
Wikipedia: Porto-Novo
World 66: Porto Novo Travel Guide
Weather Underground: Benin Forecast

Benin Major Cities

Mahalo's page on Cotonou
Wikipedia: Cotonou
World 66: Cotonou travel guide

Benin Photos and Videos

YouTube & Google Video Search: Benin
Google Image Search: Benin
Flickr: Benin Photos
Yahoo! Image Search: Benin

Related Searches

Africa | Nigeria | Sudan | Sahara Desert | Togo | Niger | Burkina Faso | Sierra Leone

This page was created by Betsyp, a Part Time Guide in the Mahalo Greenhouse (see the original), and curated by LisaC. *If you'd like to help us create the best spam free search results on the Internet, apply to be a Part Time Guide!