Official Name Republic of Benin

Population 7,862,944

Capital City Porto-Novo (317,000)

Largest Cities Cotonou, Porto-Novo, Parakou

Currency CFA Franc


Latitude/Longitude 6º48 N, 2º63 E

Languages French (official), Fon and Yoruba (most common vernaculars in south), tribal languages (at least six major ones in north)


National Day 1 August; National Day

Religions Muslim, Christian, traditional beliefs

Land


Land Area 110,620 sq km (42,710 sq miles) -

slightly smaller than Pennsylvania

Landforms From a narrow and somewhat sandy coastal area, the marshy land and lagoons of the south rise into the La Terre de Barre Plateau, consisting of a wooded savannah that continues on into the foot hills of the Atakora Mountains of the northwest, a branch of the Togo Mountains. From there, the land slopes down into a broad plain, and on to the Niger River valley of the far northeast. The Niger and Oueme are the country's major rivers.

Highest Point Mt. Sokbaro (658 m) (2,158 ft)

Lowest Point Atlantic Ocean, sea level

Land Divisions 12 departments; including Alibori, Atakora, Atlantique, Borgou, Collines, Kouffo, Donga, Littoral, Mono, Oueme, Plateau and Zou

Natural Resources: small offshore oil deposits, limestone, marble, timber