History-Africa.com: Country Detail for Benin

Motto: "Fraternity, Justice, Labour"
Demonym: Beninese, Beninois
Population: 9,325,032 (2011)
Government: presidential republic
Capital City: Porto-Novo
Capital Coordinates: 6°28′N 2°36′E
Capital Time Zone: UTC +1
Currency: West African CFA franc
Currency Code: XOF
GDP: $6.6 billion (2010)
Per Capita Income: $689 (2010)
Foreign Debt: $1395000000 (2011)
ISO 3166 Country Code: BJ
Internet Country Code: .bj
Calling Code: 221
Electrical Generation Capacity: 60000 kW
Independence: 1960 from France
Area: 112,622 square km (110,622 km land) (2,000 km water)
Coastline: 121 km
Lowest Point: Atlantic Ocean (0 m)
Highest Point: Mont Sokbaro (658 m)
Life Expectancy: 60.26 years
Fertility Rate: 5.22 (2012)
Infant Mortality Rate: 60.03 per 1000 (2012)
AIDS Prevalence: 1.20% (2007)
Literacy: 34.70 percent
Human Development Index: 0.427 (2011)
Corruption Perception Index: 3.0 (2011)

Major Cities

Abomey (Population 87344)
Bohicon (Population 113091)
Cotonou (Population 761137)
Djougou (Population 181895)
Kandi (Population 95206)
Lokossa (Population 77065)
Malanville (Population 101628)
Natitingou (Population 75620)
Ouidah (Population 76555)
Parakou (Population 188853)
Porto-Novo [Capital] (Population 223552)

Rivers

Niger River

Notable Musicians

Angélique Kidjo

Notable Works

Djin Djin by Angélique Kidjo (Album - 2007)
Oyo by Angélique Kidjo (Album - 2010)
Spirit Rising by Angélique Kidjo (Album - 2012)

The area where this country is located used to be called Dahomey.