Country (long form) Republic of Benin
Capital Porto-Novo(official)/Cotonou
Total Area 43,482.83 sq mi
112,620.00 sq km
Population 6,395,919 (July 2000 est.)
Languages French (official), Fon and Yoruba (south), tribal languages (north)
Religions indigenous beliefs 70%, Muslim 15%, Christian 15%
Government Type republic under multiparty democratic rule
Currency 1 Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (CFAF) = 100 centimes
Industry textiles, cigarettes; beverages, food; construction materials, petroleum
Agriculture corn, sorghum, cassava (tapioca), yams, beans, rice, cotton, palm oil, peanuts; poultry, livestock
Exports cotton, crude oil, palm products, cocoa
Natural Resources small offshore oil deposits, limestone, marble, timber

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Visa Required (U.S. only) Yes    2001
(united states government sources. all information was accurate at time of posting)