Benin
General
Population: 9,325,032 (2011)
Land Area: 112,620 sq km
Natural Resources: Offshore oil, limestone, marble, timber
Capital: Porto-Novo
Political System: Republic
State Leader: Thomas Yayi Boni (2006)
Languages: French, Fon, Yoruba, Tribal languages
Currency: Communaute Financiere Africaine Franc (XOF)
Major Religions: Christian 42.8%, Muslim 24.4%, Vodoun 17.3%, Other 15.5%
Major Ethnicities: Fon 39.2%, Adja 15.2%, Yoruba 12.3%, Bariba 9.2%, Peulh 7%, Ottamari 6.1%, Yoa-Lopka 4%, Dendi 2.5%, Other 1.6%, Unspecified 2.9%
Life Expectancy: 59.84 years (2011)
Economy
GDP Official Exchange Rate: 6.494 billion (2010)
GDP Purchasing Power Parity: 14.2 billion (2010)
GDP Per Capita (PPP): 1,600 (2010)
GDP Growth Rate: 3% (2010)
GDP Structure: Agriculture 33.2%, Industry 14.5%, Services 52.3% (2007)
Labour Force By Occupation: NA
Industries: Textiles, food processing, construction materials, cement
Agriculture Products: Cotton, corn, cassava, yams, beans, palm oil, peanuts, cashews; livestock
Human Development Index: 0.427 (167th)
Tourism Revenue: 60 million (2002)
Unemployment Rate: 4,4% (2007)
Military
Army Size: 4 550 (2004)
Budget: 1.7% of GDP (2006)
Current Situation
Benin is located in western Africa, it is bordered by Togo, Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Niger. The economy is largely underdeveloped, and consists of subsistence farming. The growth rate is steady however and Benin is trying to develop its tourist industry.
Photo Gallery
Sources
CIA World Factbook: Australia
The Economist: The World In 2010
Wikipedia: Australia
http://hdrstats.undp.org/en/countries/profiles/BEN.html
Updated on: December 2, 2011