Benin

Official name: Republic of Benin
Also known as: Dahomey, People’s Republic of Benin, RRépublique du Bénin (French), Republic of Benin, Republic of Dahomey

Benin is divided into 12 departments.
Capital: Porto-Novo
Total Area: 114,763 km² (44,310 mi²) (101th)
Approximate population: 14,462,724 (76th) - (2024 est.)
Location: Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Nigeria and Togo
Languages: French (official); Fon (a Gbe language), Yom (a Gur language) and Yoruba are the most important indigenous languages in the south, other local languages over 50 languages
Religions: Islam 27.7%, Roman Catholic 25.5%, Protestant 13.5% (Celestial 6.7%, Methodist 3.4%, other Protestant 3.4%), Vodoun 11.6%, other Christian 9.5%, other traditional religions 2.6%, Other 2.6%, None 5.8%, - (2013 est.)
Ethnic groups: Fon 38.4%, Adja & Mina 15.1%, Yoruba 12%, Bariba 9.6%, Fula 8.6%, Ottamari 6.1%, Yoa-Lokpa 4.3%, Dendi 2.9%, other 0.9%, foreigner 1.9% - (2020 est.)
Currency: West African CFA franc (XOF)
Time zone: UTC+1 (WAT)
Calling code: (+229)
Organizations: United Nations

Border countries (4): Burkina Faso 386 km (240 mi), Niger 277 km (172 mi), Nigeria 809 km (503 mi), Togo 651 km (405 mi)
Coastline: 121 km (75 mi)
Maritime boundaries: Atlantic Ocean

Administrative divisions (12) departments
  •  Alibori, 6 communes: Banikoara, Gogounou, Kandi, Karimama, Malanville and Ségbana.
  •  Atakora, 9 communes: Boukoumbé, Cobly, Kérou, Kouandé, Matéri, Natitingou, Pehonko, Tanguiéta and Toucountouna.
  •  Atlantic, 8 communes: Abomey-Calavi, Allada, Kpomassè, Ouidah, Sô-Ava, Toffo, Tori-Bossito and Zè.
  •  Borgou, 8 communes: Bembèrèkè, Kalalé, N’Dali, Nikki, Parakou, Pèrèrè, Sinendé and Tchaourou.
  •  Collines, 6 communes: Bantè, Dassa-Zoumé, Glazoué, Ouèssè, Savalou and Savé.
  •  Donga, 5 communes: Bassila, Copargo, Djougou Rural, Djougou Urban and Ouaké.
  •  Kouffo, 6 communes: Aplahoué, Djakotomey, Klouékanmè, Lalo, Toviklin and Dogbo-Tota.
  •  Littoral, comprises just one commune/city, Cotonou, Benin's largest city and its economic capital.
  •  Mono, 6 communes: Athiémè, Bopa, Comè, Grand-Popo, Houéyogbé and Lokossa.
  •  Plateau, 5 communes: Adja-Ouèrè, Ifangni, Kétou, Pobè and Sakété.
  •  Zou, 9 communes: Abomey, Agbangnizoun, Bohicon, Cové, Djidja, Ouinhi, Za-Kpota, Zangnanado and Zogbodomey.
  •  Ouémé, 9 communes: Adjarra, Adjohoun, Aguégués, Akpro-Missérété, Avrankou, Bonou, Dangbo, Porto-Novo and Sèmè-Kpodji.

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

Interesting facts:
- There are over 40 different ethnic groups and 51 languages spoken in the country.
- Most Haitians trace their ancestry to Benin.
- Benin's capital Porto-Novo, is also known as "the city with three names" (Porto-Novo, Hogbonou, and Adjatche).