Benin Travel Guide

Full Name

Republic of Benin

Former Name

Dahomey

Capital City

Porto-Novo is the official capital; Cotonou is the seat of government

Government Type

republic under multiparty democratic rule; dropped Marxism-Leninism December 1989

Climate

tropical; hot, humid in south; semiarid in north

Geography

sandbanks create difficult access to a coast with no natural harbors, river mouths, or islands

Languages

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

History

Present day Benin was the site of Dahomey, a prominent West African kingdom that rose in the 15th century. The territory became a French Colony in 1872 and achieved independence on 1 August 1960, as the Republic of Benin. A succession of military governments ended in 1972 with the rise to power of Mathieu KEREKOU and the establishment of a government based on Marxist-Leninist principles. A move to representative government began in 1989. Two years later, free elections ushered in former Prime Minister Nicephore SOGLO as president, marking the first successful transfer of power in Africa from a dictatorship to a democracy. KEREKOU was returned to power by elections held in 1996 and 2001, though some irregularities were alleged.

Currency

CFA Franc (BCEAO) (XOF)