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Description Benin by rbd.me
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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. KEREKOU stepped down at the end of his second term in 2006 and was succeeded by Thomas YAYI Boni, a political outsider and independent. YAYI has begun a high profile fight against corruption and has strongly promoted accelerating Benin's economic growth.
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Location
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Western Africa, bordering the Bight of Benin, between Nigeria and Togo
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Area - comparative
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slightly smaller than Pennsylvania
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Natural resources Benin
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small offshore oil deposits, limestone, marble, timber
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Population Benin
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9,056,010
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Religions Benin
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Christian 42.8% (Catholic 27.1%, Celestial 5%, Methodist 3.2%, other Protestant 2.2%, other 5.3%), Muslim 24.4%, Vodoun 17.3%, other 15.5% (2002 census)
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Languages
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French (official), Fon and Yoruba (most common vernaculars in south), tribal languages (at least six major ones in north)
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Education Benin expenditures
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4.4% of GDP (2004)
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Government Benin type
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republic
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Independence
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1 August 1960 (from France)
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Benin Economy - overview
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$13.25 billion (2009 est.)
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Investment Benin
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4% (2009 est.)
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Industries Benin
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2.8% (2009 est.)
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Airports Benin
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150 km (on River Niger along northern border) (2007)
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