Benin Guide for travellers

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Benin Travellers Guide

Benin was formerly part of French West Africa. In 1958 it became self governing and in 1960 acheived full independence. It was run as a doctatorship for some years but in the 1990's developed a plurlist political state. It is now one of the most stable countries in Africa, although still one of the poorest.

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Benin is situated in west Africa, and is biordered to the west by Togo, to the north west by Burkino Faso, to the north east by Nigre and to the esat by Nigeria. to the south is the Gulf of Guinea.

Facts & Figures

Total Area:112,620 sq km
Land Borders: Burkino Faso, Niger, Nigeria, togo
Population: 7,862,944
Life Expectancy: 53 years
HIV % Total Poulation:1.9%
Ethnic Groups: African 99% (42 ethnic groups, most important being Fon, Adja, Yoruba, Bariba), Europeans 5,500
Languages:French (official), Fon and Yoruba (most common vernaculars in south), tribal languages (at least six major ones in north)
President:Yayi BONI
GDP - Per Capita: $1,100

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.

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Home Overlands Tours Wildlife Safaris Off The Beaten track By Country Destination Guides About Us Contact Us Enquire/Book
Benin Travellers Guide Benin was formerly part of French West Africa. In 1958 it became self governing and in 1960 acheived full independence. It was run as a doctatorship for some years but in the 1990's developed a plurlist political state. It is now one of the most stable countries in Africa, although still one of the poorest.		Benin - Home Travel Information Tours & Safaris Accommodation Places To Visit Getting There & Around Travel Guides & Maps
Overland Safaris Cape Town to Kenya Kenya to Cape Town Johannesburg to Kenya Kenya to Johannesburg South to East Overlands East to South Overlands East Africa Masai Mara Safaris Serengeti safaris Zanzibar Tours Gorilla Treks Kenya Tours Tanzania Tours Uganda Tours Ethiopia Tours Eritrea Tours East Africa Overlands Southern Africa Kruger Park Safaris South Africa Tours Namibia Tours Botswana Tours Mozambique Tours Cape Town To Victoria Falls Southern Africa Overlands Game Reserves Kruger Park safaris Etosha Safaris Okavango delta Tours Masai Mara safaris Serengeti Safaris Gorilla Treks East Africa safaris Southern Africa Safaris Off The Beaten Track Angola Tours Comoros Tours Congo Tours Eritrea Tours Ethiopia Tours Gabon Tours Sao Tome & Principe Sierra Leone tours Sudan Tours Uganda Tours	Benin is situated in west Africa, and is biordered to the west by Togo, to the north west by Burkino Faso, to the north east by Nigre and to the esat by Nigeria. to the south is the Gulf of Guinea. Facts & Figures Total Area:112,620 sq km Land Borders: Burkino Faso, Niger, Nigeria, togo Population: 7,862,944 Life Expectancy: 53 years HIV % Total Poulation:1.9% Ethnic Groups: African 99% (42 ethnic groups, most important being Fon, Adja, Yoruba, Bariba), Europeans 5,500 Languages:French (official), Fon and Yoruba (most common vernaculars in south), tribal languages (at least six major ones in north) President:Yayi BONI GDP - Per Capita: $1,100 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.
	EditRegion8
Overland Safaris / Cape Town to Kenya / Kenya to Cape Town / Johannesburg to Kenya / Kenya to Johannesburg / South to East Overlands / East to South Overlands East Africa / Masai Mara Safaris / Serengeti safaris / Zanzibar Tours / Gorilla Treks / Kenya Tours / Tanzania Tours / Uganda Tours / / Ethiopia Tours / Eritrea Tours East Africa Overlands / Southern Africa / Kruger Park Safaris / South Africa Tours / Namibia Tours / Botswana Tours / Mozambique Tours / Cape Town To Victoria Falls Southern Africa Overlands / Game Reserves / Kruger Park safaris / Etosha Safaris / Okavango Delta Tours / Masai Mara safaris / Serengeti Safaris / Gorilla Treks East Africa safaris / Southern Africa Safaris / Off The Beaten Track / Angola Tours / Comoros Tours / Congo Tours / Eritrea Tours / Ethiopia Tours / Gabon Tours / Sao Tome & Principe / Sierra Leone tours / Sudan Tours / Uganda Tours /