Benin

Benin (pronounced /bɨˈnɪn/), officially the Republic of Benin, is a country in Western Africa. It borders Togo to the west, Nigeria to the east and Burkina Faso and Niger to the north; its short coastline to the south leads to the Bight of Benin. Its size is just over 110000 km2 with a population of almost 8,500,000. Its capital is the Yoruba founded city of Porto Novo, but the seat of government is the Fon city of Cotonou.
A democratic government between 1960 and 1972 were followed by a repressive Marxist-Leninist dictatorship between 1972 and 1991. Multiparty elections have taken place since 1991. About half the population live below the international poverty line of US$1.25 per day. Main income sources are subsistence agriculture and cotton.

Capital
Porto-Novo1112622) 6°28′N 2°36′E / 6.467°N 2.6°E / 6.467; 2.6
Largest city
Cotonou
Official languages
French
Demonym
Beninese; Beninois
Government
Multiparty democracy
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President
Yayi Boni
Independence
from France
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Date
August 1,1960
Area
-
Total
112622 km2 (101st)43484 sq mi
Population
-
July 2005 estimate
84390002 (89th)
-
2009 census
6769914
-
Density
75/km2 (118th3)194/sq mi
GDP (PPP)
2008 estimate
-
Total
$13.014 billion[1] (140th)
-
Per capita
$1,605[1] (166th)
GDP (nominal)
2008 estimate
-
Total
$6.940 billion[1]
-
Per capita
$856[1]
Gini (2003)
36.5 (medium)
HDI (2007)
▲ 0.437 (low) (163rd)
Currency
West African CFA franc (XOF)
Time zone
WAT (UTC+1)
-
Summer (DST)
not observed (UTC+1)
Drives on the
right
Internet TLD
.bj
Calling code
229