Benins

Benin, officially the Republic of Benin, is a country in West Africa. It is bordered by Niger to the north, Nigeria to the east, Togo to the west, and the Atlantic Ocean (the Bight of Benin) to the south. It covers about 114,000 square kilometers and has a population of around 12 million. The capital is Porto-Novo, while the seat of government and economic capital is Cotonou. The official language is French; widely spoken regional languages include Fon and Yoruba.

History and governance: The area was home to the Kingdom of Dahomey before becoming part of French West Africa. It gained independence in 1960 as Dahomey, later renamed Benin in 1975. A Marxist-Leninist state existed from 1975 to 1990, ending with a 1990 constitution establishing a multi-party democracy. Benin is a presidential republic with a multi-party system. The president serves as head of state and, with a prime minister and cabinet, directs government policy. Elections have been held regularly since the early 1990s.

Economy: Benin has a primarily agricultural economy. Cotton is the leading export, followed by cashews and lumber. The country relies on regional trade and informal sector activity. The port of Cotonou is a major regional gateway and logistics hub.

Demographics and culture: The population is ethnically diverse, with Fon, Adja, Yoruba, and other groups. The predominant religions are Islam and Christianity, with traditional beliefs such as Voodoo practiced regionally. Benin is noted for its cultural heritage, including voodoo practices and historical slave-route sites such as Ouidah.