Benin (République du Bénin), is a presidential republic of central-west Africa, whose capital is Porto Novo, it's a former French colony, bordered to the west by Togo, to the north by Burkina Faso and Niger, to the east by Nigeria, and washed to the south by the Gulf of Guinea (Atlantic Ocean). The coast of the country, 120 km long, is low and sandy, with lagoons (Ahémé, Nokoué lagoons), this is the most densely populated area, where are the major cities of Benin, including Porto-Novo, the capital, and Cotonou, the more important commercial center, beyond you meet a fertile plains, known as Terre de Barre, further north the land rises gradually toward the interior of the country, and then lower towards the valley of the Niger, which marks the northern boundary.

 The Atacora mountains extends along the north-western border with Togo, here is the maximum height of Benin, Mount Sokbaro (658 metres). Regarding rivers, at the extreme north of the country the river Niger marks for about 150 km the border with the state of the same name, to the south instead flowing the rivers Ouémé and Kouffo, while in the south-west Mono river marks the southern border with Togo. The economy of Benin, one of the poorest countries of Africa, is based on agricolture products: copra, seeds and palm oil, coffee, cocoa, cotton, cassava, peanuts. Fishing is widely practiced in lagoons and along the coast. In recent years have been discovered oil in the territorial waters of the Gulf of Guinea.

Area: 112 622 sqkm. (Arable 16,7%, Pastures 3,9%, Forests and Woodlands 30,2%, Uncultivated and Unproductive 49,2%)

Population: 8 439 000 (2005 data) There are more than 40 ethnic groups in Benin, the largest is the Fon, with 39% of the population, followed by the Yoruba 12%, Adja 11%, Houeda 8,5%, Bariba 8%, Fulba 5,5%.

State Capital: Porto Novo.

Language: Official language is French. Spoken Fon and Yoruba.

Religion: Animist 50%, Christian 30%, Muslim 20%.

Currency: CFA Franc (XOF)

Time: UTC +1 hour.