The Republic of Benin is a country in west Africa. It has a total area of 112,620 km2. The climate is tropical; hot and humid in the south; semi-arid in the north. The terrain is mostly flat to undulating plain with some hills and low mountains. Natural resources are small offshore oil deposits, limestone, marble and timber. The religion is 70% indigenous beliefs, 15% Muslim and 15% Christian. The official language is French with Fon and Yoruba the most common vernaculars spoken in the south and at least six major tribal languages spoken in the north.
Benin (formerly known as Dahomey) was a powerful kingdom from the 12th century until it was taken by the French in the 1850s and became part of French West Africa in 1899. In 1900 the country became the French colony of Dahomey, becoming self-governing in 1958 and in 1960 independent as the Republic of Dahomey. In 1975 the country was renamed Benin. Research Benin
Abbreviations
Gazetteer
Research Benin