Benin 3459 225813265 2008-07-15T15:00:57Z Onorem 622881 Reverted edits by [[Special:Contributions/Reconfirmer|Reconfirmer]] ([[User talk:Reconfirmer|talk]]) to last version by MaximLitvin {{distinguish2|the [[Kingdom of Benin]], now the Benin region of [[Nigeria]], or [[Benin City]] in that region}} {{Infobox Country |native_name = ''République du Bénin'' |conventional_long_name = Republic of Benin |common_name = Benin |image_flag = Flag of Benin.svg |image_coat = Coat_of_arms_of_Benin.png |image_map = LocationBenin.svg |national_motto = ''"Fraternité, Justice, Travail"''{{spaces|2}}<small>([[French language|French]])<br/>"Fellowship, Justice, Labour"</small> |national_anthem = ''[[L'Aube Nouvelle]]''{{spaces|2}}<small>(French)<br/>''The Dawn of a New Day''</small> |official_languages = [[French language|French]] |demonym = Beninese; Beninois |capital = [[Porto Novo]]<sup>1</sup> |latd= 6|latm=28 |latNS=N |longd=2 |longm=36 |longEW=E |largest_city = [[Cotonou]] |government_type = Multiparty democracy |leader_title1 = [[President of Benin|President]] |leader_name1 = [[Yayi Boni]] |sovereignty_type = [[Independence]] |sovereignty_note = from [[France]] |established_event1 = Date |established_date1 = [[August 1]] [[1960]] |area_rank = 101st |area_magnitude = 1 E11 |area_km2 = 112,622 |area_sq_mi = 43,483 |percent_water = 1.8 |population_estimate = 8,439,000<sup>2</sup> |population_estimate_rank = 89th |population_estimate_year = July 2005 |population_census = 6,769,914 |population_census_year = 2002 |population_density_km2 = 75 |population_density_sq_mi = 194 |population_density_rank = 118th<sup>3</sup> |GDP_PPP = $8.75 billion <!--IMF--> |GDP_PPP_rank = 140th |GDP_PPP_year = 2005 |GDP_PPP_per_capita = $1,176 |GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank = 166th |Gini = 36.5 |Gini_year = 2003 |Gini_category = <font color="#ffcc00">medium</font> |HDI = {{increase}} 0.437 |HDI_rank = 163rd |HDI_year = 2007 |HDI_category = <font color="#e0584e">low</font> |currency = [[West African CFA franc]] |currency_code = XOF |country_code = |time_zone = [[West Africa Time|WAT]] |utc_offset = +1 |time_zone_DST = ''not observed'' |utc_offset_DST = +1 |cctld = [[.bj]] |calling_code = 229 |footnote1 = Cotonou is the seat of government. |footnote2 = Estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected. |footnote3 = Rank based on 2005 estimate. }} {{Nofootnotes|date=May 2008}} {{Refimprove|date=May 2008}} '''Benin''' ({{IPAEng|bə'nɪn}}), officially the '''Republic of Benin''', is a country in [[West Africa|Western Africa]]. It borders [[Togo]] to the west, [[Nigeria]] to the east and [[Burkina Faso]] and [[Niger]] to the north; its short coastline to the south leads to the [[Bight of Benin]]. Its [[capital]] is [[Porto Novo]], but the [[seat of government]] is [[Cotonou]]. Benin was [[Geographical renaming|known as]] ''[[Dahomey]]'' until [[1975]]. == Name == The name "Benin" has no proper connection to [[Kingdom of Benin]] (or [[Benin City]]). The name [[Dahomey]] was changed in 1975 to The People's Republic of Benin, named after the body of water on which the country lies, the [[Bight of Benin]]. This name was picked due to its neutrality, since the current political boundaries of Benin encompass over fifty distinct linguistic groups and nearly as many individual ethnic groups. The name [[Dahomey]] was the name of the ancient [[Fon]] Kingdom, and was determined to be an inappropriate name. ==History== {{main|History of Benin}} The African kingdom of [[Dahomey]] was formed out of a mixture of various local ethnic groups on the [[Abomey]] plain. Historians theorized that the insecurity caused by the [[slave trade]] may have contributed to mass migrations of different groups to Abomey, including a segment of the royal family of the city of [[Allada]]. These groups coalesced around a strict military culture aimed at securing and eventually expanding the borders of the small kingdom. Dahomey was known for its distinct culture and traditions. Boys were often apprenticed to older soldiers at a young age, and learned about the kingdom's military customs until they were old enough to join the navy. Dahomey was also famous for instituting an elite female soldier corps, called ''Ahosi'' or "our mothers" in the [[Fongbe]] language, and known in English as the Dahomean [[Amazons]]. This emphasis on military preparation and achievement earned Dahomey the nickname of "black [[Sparta]]" from European observers and 19th century explorers like [[Sir Richard Burton]]. [[Human sacrifice]] was a common practice, according to contemporary sources; on holidays and special occasions, thousands of slaves and prisoners of war were beheaded in public. Some Dahomean religious beliefs maintained that decapitation enhanced the prestige and potency of the Dahomean king and his warriors. Though the founders of Dahomey appeared initially to resist the slave trade, it flourished in the region of Dahomey for almost three hundred years, leading to the area being named "the Slave Coast". Court protocols, which demanded that a portion of war captives from the kingdom's many battles be decapitated, decreased the number of enslaved people exported from the area. The number went from 20,000 per year at the beginning of the seventeenth century to 12,000 at the beginning of the 1800s. The decline was partly due to the banning of the trans-Atlantic trade by Britain and other countries. This decline continued until 1885, when the last Portuguese slave ship departed from the coast of present-day Benin bound for Brazil. Along with the powerful Dahomey Kingdom, other peoples inhabited the area that would become the Republic of Benin. Of note were the [[Ketu (Benin)|Ketu]], Icha, Dassa, Anago, and other sub-groups of the [[Yoruba-speaking]] people. These groups were in close contact with related sub-groups in present-day Nigeria, and were often enemies of the Dahomeans. However, some were also citizens of Dahomey. In regions such as present-day [[Porto Novo]], both groups inter-married. North of these people were the [[Borgu]], [[Mahi people|Mahi]], and several other ethnic groups that are included in the country's current population. ==Colony== By the middle of the [[19th century|nineteenth century]], Dahomey started to lose its status as the regional power. This enabled the [[France|French]] to take over the area in 1892. In 1899, the French included land called [[French Dahomey|Dahomey]] within the [[French West Africa]] colony. ==Independence== In 1958, France granted autonomy to the [[Republic of Dahomey]], and full independence as of [[August 1]], [[1960]]. For the next 12 years, ethnic strife contributed to a period of turbulence. There were several coups and regime changes, with three main figures dominating - [[Sourou Migan Apithy|Sourou Apithy]], [[Hubert Maga]], and [[Justin Ahomadegbé]] - each of them representing a different area and ethnicity of the country. These three agreed to form a presidential council after violence marred the 1970 elections. In 1972, a military coup led by [[Mathieu Kérékou]] overthrew the council. Kérékou established a [[marxism|Marxist]] government under the control of [[Military Council of the Revolution]] (CNR). In 1975 he renamed the country the [[People's Republic of Benin]]. In 1979, the CNR was dissolved and elections took place. By the late 1980s, Kérékou abandoned Marxism after an economic crisis and decided to re-establish a parliamentary [[capitalism|capitalist]] system. In 1991 he was defeated by [[Nicéphore Soglo]] and became the first black African president to step down after an election. Kérékou returned to power after winning the 1996 vote. In 2001, a closely fought election resulted in Kérékou's winning another term. His opponents claimed election irregularities. President Kérékou and former President Soglo did not run in the 2006 elections, as both were barred by the constitution's restricting age and total terms of candidates. President Kérékou is widely praised for making no effort to change the constitution so that he could remain in office or run again, unlike some African leaders. On [[March 5]], [[2006]], an election was held that was considered free and fair. It resulted in a [[runoff]] between [[Yayi Boni]] and [[Adrien Houngbédji]]. The runoff election was held on [[March 19]] and was won by Yayi Boni, who assumed office on [[April 6]]. The success of the fair multi-party elections in Benin won high praise internationally. Benin is widely considered a model democracy in Africa. United States President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush briefly visited Benin on February 16 2008, marking the first visit of a major head of state to this tiny country. President Yayi Boni presented President Bush with the Grand Cross of the National Order of Benin and thanked him for US economic aid. == Politics == {{main|Politics of Benin}}<!--Please add new information to relevant articles of the series--> Benin's politics takes place in a framework of a [[Presidential system|presidential]] [[Representative democracy|representative democratic]] [[republic]], whereby the [[President of Benin]], who is currently [[Yayi Boni]], is both [[head of state]] and [[head of government]], and of a [[multi-party system]]. [[Executive power]] is exercised by the government. [[Legislative power]] is vested in both the [[government]] and the legislature. The [[Judiciary]] is independent of the executive and the legislature. The current political system is derived from the 1990 [[Constitution of Benin]] and the subsequent transition to democracy in 1991. On February 16th 2008, United States President [[George W. Bush]] made a brief stop in Benin during which he held a meeting with president [[Thomas Boni Yayi]] as well as a press conference at Cadjehoun Airport in Cotounou. The president later proceeded to Tanzania to continue with his five-nation African tour. In its 2007 Worldwide Press Freedom Index, [[Reporters Without Borders]] ranked Benin 53rd out of 169 countries. == Departments and communes == {{main|Departments of Benin|Communes of Benin}} <imagemap> Image:Benin departments.png|thumb|right|250px|Departments of Benin rect 96 41 108 60 [[Alibori Department|Alibori]] rect 43 70 56 89 [[Atakora Department|Atakora]] rect 68 237 80 256 [[Atlantique Department|Atlantique]] rect 85 105 98 125 [[Borgou Department|Borgou]] rect 68 176 81 196 [[Collines Department|Collines]] rect 48 116 60 134 [[Donga Department|Donga]] rect 50 224 62 242 [[Kouffo Department|Kouffo]] rect 84 254 97 271 [[Littoral Department|Littoral]] rect 53 242 65 257 [[Mono Department|Mono]] rect 98 237 118 255 [[Ouémé Department|Ouémé]] rect 98 206 117 224 [[Plateau Department|Plateau]] rect 62 211 78 229 [[Zou Department|Zou]] </imagemap> '''Benin''' is divided into 12 [[Department (subnational entity)|departments]] (French: ''départements''), and subdivided into 77 [[commune (subnational entity)|commune]]s. In 1999, the previous six departments were each split into two halves, forming the current 12. The new six departments have not been assigned a capital yet. #[[Alibori Department|Alibori]] #[[Atakora Department|Atakora]] #[[Atlantique Department|Atlantique]] #[[Borgou Department|Borgou]] #[[Collines Department|Collines]] #[[Donga Department|Donga]] #[[Kouffo Department|Kouffo]] #[[Littoral Department|Littoral]] #[[Mono Department|Mono]] #[[Ouémé Department|Ouémé]] #[[Plateau Department|Plateau]] #[[Zou Department|Zou]] == Geography == [[Image:Benin map.png|thumb|left|200px|Map of Benin]] {{main|Geography of Benin}} Stretched between the [[Niger River]] in the northeast and the [[Bight of Benin]] in the south, Benin's elevation is about the same for the entire country. Most of the population lives in the southern coastal plains, where Benin's largest cities are also located, including [[Porto Novo]] and [[Cotonou]]. The north of the country consists mostly of [[savanna]] and semi-arid highlands. Running southernly, down the middle of the country is the [[Oueme River]]. The climate in Benin is hot and humid with relatively little rain compared to other West African countries, although there are two rainy seasons (April-July and September-November). In the winter the dust winds of the [[harmattan]] can make the nights rather cold. The largest city and commercial capital is [[Cotonou]]. The name ''Cotonou'' is from the [[Fon language|Fon]] phrase ''{{IPA|ku tɔ nu}}'' 'at the lake of the dead', from the adjacent lagoon. This is a reference to the belief that falling stars represent the souls of those who have just died falling to the underworld. It is said that when Cotonou was founded, the lights of the lacustrine village of [[Ganvié]] across the lagoon were reflected in the waters, suggesting fallen stars at the bottom. Ganvié is a fishing village sitting in the water on stilts at the western shore of the lagoon. The town of [[Ouidah]] is the spiritual capital of [[Vodun]], and is known locally as ''Glexwe''. It was a major slaving port under [[Portugal|Portuguese]] occupation. The town of [[Abomey]] is the old capital of the Fon kingdom of [[Dahomey]], and the Fon king continues to reside there. In Atakora province, Betamaribe settlements straddling the Togolese border are called [[tata somba]] 'Somba houses'; they are famous for their fortifications, with livestock housed inside and the people sleeping in huts among the granaries on the roofs. == Economy == {{main|Economy of Benin}} The economy of Benin remains underdeveloped and dependent on subsistence agriculture, [[cotton]] production, and regional trade. Growth in real output has averaged a stable 5% in the past six years, but rapid population rise has offset much of this increase. [[Inflation]] has subsided over the past several years. In order to raise growth still further, Benin has plans to attract more foreign investment, place more emphasis on [[tourism]], facilitate the development of new food processing systems and agricultural products, and encourage new information and [[communication technology]]. The 2001 privatization policy should continue in [[telecommunications]], water, electricity, and agriculture in spite of initial government reluctance. The [[Paris Club]] and bilateral creditors have eased the external debt situation, while pressing for accelerated structural reforms. Although [[trade unions in Benin]] represent up to 75% of the formal workforce, the large informal economy has been noted by the [[International Trade Union Confederation]] (ITCU) to contain ongoing problems, including a lack of women's wage equality, the use of [[child labor|child labour]], and the continuing issue of [[unfree labour|forced labour]].<ref>{{cite web | title=Serious violations of core labour standards in Benin, Burkina Faso and Mali | work=ICFTU Online | url=http://www.icftu.org/displaydocument.asp?Index=991220267&Language=EN | accessdate=2007-07-30 }}</ref> == Demographics == {{main|Demography of Benin}} [[Image:Benin 20050824 6.jpg|thumb|]] There are several dozen '''ethnolinguistic groups''' in Benin, representing three of Africa's language families: [[Niger-Congo languages|Niger-Congo]], [[Nilo-Saharan languages|Nilo-Saharan]], and [[Afroasiatic languages|Afroasiatic]]. The latter is represented by [[Hausa people|Hausa]] living mostly as merchants in the north, while Nilo-Saharan is represented by the {{IPA|Dɛndi}}, descending from the [[Songhai Empire]]. The [[Songhay languages|{{IPA|Dɛndi}} language]] predominates along the [[Niger River]] in the far north, and is used as a [[lingua franca]] in Muslim areas throughout the north, in Alibori, Borgou, and Donga provinces. Of the Niger-Congo family, five branches are represented: * [[Mande languages|Mande]] by the [[Boko]] or Busa, now in the far eastern corner (southern Alibori-northern Borgou), but previously more widely spread before being largely absorbed by the Bariba * [[West Atlantic languages|West Atlantic]] by the nomadic [[Fulani|Fulbe]] scattered across the northeast * [[Benue-Congo languages|Benue-Congo]] by the [[Yoruba people|Yoruba]] of Collines and Plateau provinces, such as the old kingdom of [[Sakete]], and the capital city of [[Porto-Novo]], having expanded west from [[Oyo]] and [[Ife]] in the twelfth to nineteenth centuries * [[Gur languages|Gur (Voltaic) languages]] predominate in the four northern provinces, with the [[Bariba|{{IPA|Batɔmbu}} (Bariba)]] of the old [[Borgu|Borgou (Bariba) Kingdom]] occupying most of the countryside in its successor provinces of Borgou and Alibori, as well as the provincial captital of [[Parakou]]; the [[Yom]] throughout much of Donga province and its capital [[Djougou]]; and several groups in the Atakora, including the [[Ditamari|{{IPA|Bɛtamaribɛ}}]] of the Otammari country around the provincial capital of [[Natitingou]], the [[Biali]], the [[Waama]] of [[Tanguiéta]], and the [[Gurma|Gulmàceba]]. * [[Kwa languages|Kwa]], especially the [[Gbe languages]] spoken by the [[Tado]] peoples in the southern and central provinces: the [[Aja people|Aja]] who established themselves in Kouffo province from neighboring [[Togo]] and gave rise to the other Tado peoples of Benin, except for the [[Mina]] of Mono province, who arrived separately from Togo or [[Ghana]]: The [[Fon people|{{IPA|Fɔn}}]] culture centered in Zou province around the old {{IPA|Fɔn}} capital of [[Abomey]], but also dominant in [[Cotonou]] and southern Atlantique areas such as [[Ouidah]]; the [[Maxi]] in central Collines, especially around [[Savalou]]; the [[Ayizo|{{IPA|Ayizɔ}}]] of central Atlantique ([[Allada]]); the [[Xwla]] and [[Xueda]] in the lagoons of the coast; the [[Tofin|{{IPA|Tɔfin}}]] of Ouémé; and the [[Gun]] of Porto-Novo. Other Kwa languages are spoken by the [[Anii]] in southern Donga in the region of [[Bassila]], and the [[Foodo|{{IPA|Fooɖo}}]] in western Donga near the town of [[Ouaké]]. The largest ethnic group are the Fon, with 1.7 million speakers of the Fon language (2001), followed by the various Yoruba groups (1.2 million), the Aja (600,000), the Bariba (460,000), the Ayizo (330,000), the Fulbe (310,000), and the Gun (240,000). Near the ports in the south can be found people who are descended from returned [[Brazil]]ian slaves. There are also small numbers of Europeans, principally [[French people|French]], and people from the western Asia, mainly [[Lebanon|Lebanese]], and East Asia, chiefly [[India]]ns. ===Religion=== {{main|Religion in Benin}} [[Image:Benin - batism ceremony in Cotonou.jpg|thumb|[[Celestial Church of Christ]] baptism in [[Cotonou]]. Five percent of Benin's population belongs to the Celestial Church of Christ, an [[African Initiated Church]].]] According to the 2002 census, 27.1 percent of the population of Benin is Roman Catholic, 24.4 percent Muslim, 17.3 percent Vodun, 5 percent Celestial Christian, 3.2 percent Methodist, 7.5 percent other Christian, 6 percent other traditional local religious groups, 1.9 percent other religious groups, and 6.5 percent claim no religious affiliation.<ref name=report>[http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2007/90082.htm International Religious Freedom Report 2007: Benin]. United States [[Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor]] (September 14, 2007). ''This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the [[public domain]].''</ref> Indigenous religions include local [[Animism|animistic]] religions in the [[Atakora]] (Atakora and Donga provinces) and [[Vodun]] among the Yoruba and Tado peoples in the center and south of the country. The town of [[Ouidah]] on the central coast is the spiritual center of Beninese Vodun. The Yoruba and Tado pantheons correspond closely: *The [[God|supreme deity]] [[Mahu|Mawu]] (in the Fon language) or [[Olodumare]] (in Yoruba) *The god of the earth and smallpox, [[Sakpata]] or Cankpana *The god of thunder, [[Xevioso]] or [[Shango|Cango]] *The god of war and iron, Gu or [[Ogoun|Ogun]] The major '''introduced religions''' are [[Islam]], introduced by the [[Songhai Empire]] and Hausa merchants, and now followed throughout [[Alibori]], [[Borgou]], and [[Donga]] provinces, as well as among the Yoruba, by 10-15% of the population; and [[Christianity]], followed nominally by another 10-15% throughout the south and center of Benin and in [[Otammari]] country in the [[Atakora]]. Most Christians, however, continue to hold Vodun beliefs and have incorporated into Christianity the pantheon of Vodun. == Culture == {{seealso|List of Beninese writers|Music of Benin|Literature of Benin}} It is believed that [[Vodun]] (or "Voodoo", as it is commonly known) originated in Benin and was introduced to the [[Caribbean Islands]] and parts of North America by [[slavery|slaves]] taken from this particular area of the [[Slave Coast]]. The indigenous religion of Benin is practiced by about 60% of the population. Since 1992 Vodun has been recognized as one of Benin's official religions, and a National Vodun Holiday is celebrated on January 10. Many [[Beninois]] in the south of the country have [[Akan name|Akan-based names]] indicating the day of the week they were born on. Twins are important in south [[Beninois]] culture, and special names for twins are also used. Local languages are used as the languages of instruction in elementary schools, with French only introduced after several years. [[Beninois]] languages are generally transcribed with a separate letter for each speech sound ([[phoneme]]), rather than using [[diacritic]]s as in French or [[digraph (orthography)|digraph]]s as in English. This includes Beninese [[Yoruba language|Yoruba]], which in [[Nigeria]] is written with both diacritics and digraphs. For instance, the [[mid vowel]]s written ''é è, ô, o'' in French are written ''{{IPA|e, ɛ, o, ɔ}}'' in Beninese languages, whereas the [[consonant]]s written ''ng'' and ''sh'' or ''ch'' in English are written ''ŋ'' and ''c.'' However, digraphs are used for [[nasal vowel]]s and the [[labial-velar consonant]]s ''kp'' and ''gb,'' as in the name of the Fon language ''Fon gbe'' {{IPA|/fõ ɡ͡be/}}, and diacritics are used as [[tone (linguistics)|tone marks]]. In French-language publications, a mixture of French and [[Beninois]] orthographies may be seen. Actor [[Djimon Hounsou|Djimon Gaston Hounsou]] (born April 24, 1964), pronounced "Jie-mon Hahn-soo" is an Academy Award-nominated Beninese actor, dancer and fashion model who was born in Cotonou, Benin. He is now a naturalized U.S. citizen. Singer [[Angelique Kidjo]], who is a five time Grammy nominee and international goodwill ambassador for UNICEF, was born in Cotonou, Benin. == Health issues == During the 1980s, less than 30 percent of the population had access to primary health care services. Benin had one of the highest death rates for children under the age of five in the world. Its [[infant mortality rate]] stood at 203 deaths for every 1000 live births. Only one of three mothers had access to child healthcare services. The [[Bamako Initiative]] changed that dramatically by introducing community-based healthcare reform, resulting in more efficient and equitable provision of services.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.who.int/inf-new/child6.htm |title=Bamako Initiative revitalizes primary health care in Benin |publisher= |accessdate=2006-12-28}}</ref> A comprehensive approach strategy was extended to all areas of health care, with subsequent improvement in the health care indicators and improvement in health care efficiency and cost.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=10173105&dopt=Abstract |title=Implementation of the Bamako Initiative: strategies in Benin and Guinea |publisher= |accessdate=2006-12-28}}</ref> == See also == [[Image:Phonecard-thermomagnetic-ptt-benin-presse.jpg|thumb|A phone card from Benin.]] {{columns |width=200px |col1 = *[[Communications in Benin]] *[[Education in Benin]] *[[Foreign relations of Benin]] *[[List of cities in Benin]] |col2 = *[[Military of Benin]] *[[Scoutisme Béninois]] *[[Transport in Benin]] }} ==References== {{Reflist}} *Adam, Kolawolé Sikirou and Michel Boko (1983), ''le Bénin.'' SODIMAS, Cotonou and EDICEF, Paris. *[[Godfrey Mwakikagile]], ''Military Coups in West Africa Since The Sixties'', Huntington, New York: Nova Science Publishers, Inc., 2001, chapter on Benin. ==External links== {{sisterlinks|Benin}} ===Government=== *[http://www.gouv.bj/ Benin Government Portal] (official site) ===News=== *[http://allafrica.com/benin/ allAfrica - Benin] news headline links *[http://www.laraignee.org/ L'Araignee] {{Fr icon}} *[http://www.africatime.com/Benin/index.asp/ Allafrica news - Benin] *[http://www.benininfo.com/ benininfo ] {{Fr icon}} *[http://www.sonagnon.net/ sonagnon.net] {{Fr icon}} *[http://www.quotidienlematinal.com/ quotidien le martinal] *[http://www.lc2international.tv/ LC2 international TV] (Live TV ) ===Overviews=== *[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/country_profiles/1064527.stm BBC News] - Country Study: ''Benin'' *{{CIA_World_Factbook_link|bn|Benin}} *[http://www.mbendi.co.za/land/af/be/p0005.htm MBendi - Information for Africa] *[http://www.state.gov/p/af/ci/bn/ US State Department - ''Benin''] includes Background Notes, Country Study and major reports *[http://www.ruralpovertyportal.org/french/regions/africa/ben/index.htm Rural poverty in Benin] ([[IFAD]]) {{Fr icon}} *[http://go.worldbank.org/KPRJBA2OZ0 World Bank Country Brief: Benin] ===Culture=== *[http://www.arts.uwa.edu.au/AFLIT/CountryBeninEN.html Beninese women authors at a glance] ===Directories=== *[http://www.columbia.edu/cu/lweb/indiv/africa/cuvl/Benin.html Columbia University Libraries - ''Benin''] directory category of the WWW-VL *{{dmoz|Regional/Africa/Benin/|Benin}} *[http://www-sul.stanford.edu/depts/ssrg/africa/benin.html Stanford University - Africa South of the Sahara: ''Benin''] directory category *[http://dir.yahoo.com/Regional/Countries/Benin/ Yahoo! - ''Benin''] directory category *[http://www.japanafricanet.com/ Japan Africa Network] ===Tourism=== *{{wikitravel}} *[http://www.asmat.eu/html/fotografie_benin_e.html Benin's photogallery] {{Template group |title = Geographic locale |list = {{Countries of Africa}} }} {{Template group |title = International membership |list = {{Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC)|state=collapsed}} {{African Union (AU)}} {{South Atlantic Peace and Cooperation Zone}} {{Community of Sahel-Saharan States}} {{La Francophonie|state=collapsed}} {{Niger-Congo-speaking nations}} }} <!--Categories--> [[Category:Benin| ]] [[Category:African Union member states]] [[Category:Economic Community of West African States]] [[Category:French-speaking countries]] [[Category:Member states of La Francophonie]] [[Category:Least Developed Countries]] {{Link FA|yo}} <!--Other languages--> [[af:Benin]] [[als:Benin]] [[am:ቤኒን]] [[ar:بنين]] [[an:Benín]] [[roa-rup:Benin]] [[frp:Bènin]] [[ast:Benin]] [[az:Benin]] [[bm:Benin]] [[bn:বেনিন]] [[zh-min-nan:Bénin]] [[be:Бенін]] [[be-x-old:Бэнін]] [[bs:Benin]] [[br:Benin]] [[bg:Бенин]] [[ca:Benín]] [[cv:Бенин]] [[ceb:Benin]] [[cs:Benin]] [[cy:Benin]] [[da:Benin]] [[pdc:Benin]] [[de:Benin]] [[dv:ބެނިން]] [[et:Benin]] [[el:Μπενίν]] [[es:Benín]] [[eo:Benino]] [[eu:Benin]] [[ee:Benin]] [[fa:بنین]] [[fr:Bénin]] [[fy:Benyn]] [[ga:Beinin]] [[gv:Benin]] [[gd:Beinin]] [[gl:República de Benín - République du Bénin]] [[ko:베냉]] [[hy:Բենին]] [[hr:Benin]] [[io:Benin]] [[ig:Benin]] [[bpy:বেনিন]] [[id:Benin]] [[ia:Benin]] [[ie:Benin]] [[os:Бенин]] [[is:Benín]] [[it:Benin]] [[he:בנין]] [[jv:Benin]] [[pam:Benin]] [[kn:ಬೆನಿನ್]] [[ka:ბენინი]] [[ks:बेनिन]] [[kk:Бенин]] [[kw:Benin]] [[sw:Benin]] [[kg:Benin]] [[ht:Benen]] [[ku:Bênîn]] [[la:Beninum]] [[lv:Benina]] [[lb:Benin]] [[lt:Beninas]] [[lij:Benin]] [[li:Benin]] [[ln:Bénin]] [[hu:Benin]] [[mk:Бенин]] [[ml:ബെനിന്‍]] [[ms:Benin]] [[nah:Benin]] [[na:Benin]] [[nl:Benin]] [[ja:ベナン]] [[pih:Benin]] [[no:Benin]] [[nn:Benin]] [[nov:Benin]] [[oc:Benin]] [[uz:Benin]] [[ps:بېنين]] [[pms:Benin]] [[nds:Benin]] [[pl:Benin]] [[pt:Benin]] [[crh:Benin]] [[ksh:Benin]] [[ro:Benin]] [[qu:Binin]] [[ru:Бенин]] [[se:Benin]] [[sa:बेनिन]] [[sq:Benini]] [[scn:Benin]] [[simple:Benin]] [[sk:Benin]] [[sl:Benin]] [[sr:Бенин]] [[sh:Benin]] [[fi:Benin]] [[sv:Benin]] [[tl:Benin]] [[ta:பெனின்]] [[te:బెనిన్]] [[th:ประเทศเบนิน]] [[vi:Bénin]] [[tg:Бенин]] [[tr:Benin]] [[udm:Бенин]] [[uk:Бенін]] [[ur:بینن]] [[vec:Benin]] [[vo:Beninän]] [[wo:Bene]] [[ts:Benin]] [[yo:Benin]] [[diq:Benin]] [[bat-smg:Benins]] [[zh:贝宁]]