|
Location:
|
Western Africa, between Nigeria and Togo |
|
Size:
|
110,620 sq. km.
(slightly smaller than Pennsylvania)
Elevation varies from
sea level to 658 meters |
|
Population:
|
8,078,314
(July 2007
est.)
* 0-14 years: 43.9%
* 15-64 years: 53.7%
* 65+ years: 2.4%
Median age: 17.7 years
Life expectancy: 53.4 years
HIV / AIDS: 1.9% |
|
|
Indigenous beliefs 50%
Christian 30%
Muslim 20% |
|
Language:
|
French
(official)
Fon & Yoruba
(southern Benin)
Tribal languages
(at least 6 major ones in the north) |
|
Government:
|
Republic
(transition from Marxism-Leninism to multiparty democracy took place from December 1989 to April 1991) |
|
Capital:
|
Porto-Novo
(official capital)
Cotonou
(seat of government) |
|
Independence:
|
1 August 1960
(from France) |
