1 GeoFroggy

Benin

Continent: Africa

Geography

People &
Society

Government

Economy

Energy

Communications

Military &
Security

Transportation

Terrorism

Transnational Issues
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Background

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.

Location

Western Africa, bordering the Bight of Benin, between Nigeria and Togo

Area Comparative

Slightly smaller than Pennsylvania

Maritime Claims

Territorial sea: 200 nm

Climate
Tropical; hot, humid in south; semiarid in north

Natural Hazards

Hot, dry, dusty harmattan wind may affect north from December to March

Environment Current Issues

Inadequate supplies of potable water; poaching threatens wildlife populations; deforestation; desertification

Environment International Agreements

Party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

Signed, but not ratified: None of the selected agreements

Geography Note

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

Map Reference

  • Africa

Irrigated Land 1998

  • 120 sq km

Area 2005

  • Total
    112,620 sq km
  • Land
    110,620 sq km
  • Water
    2,000 sq km

Coastline

  • 121 km

Geographical Coordinates

  • 9 30 N, 2 15 E

Land use 2005

  • Arable Land
    18.08%
  • Permanent Crops
    2.4%
  • Other
    79.52%

Terrain

  • Mostly flat to undulating plain; some hills and low mountains

Elevation

  • Lowest Point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
  • Highest Point: Mont Sokbaro 658 m

Land Boundaries

  • Total
    1,989 km
  • Burkina Faso
    306 km
  • Niger
    266 km
  • Nigeria
    773 km
  • Togo
    644 km

Natural Resources

  • Small offshore oil deposits
  • Limestone
  • Marble
  • Timber
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