Population: 8,078,314
Capital: Porto-Novo
Time Zone: UTC+1
Currency Name: Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XOF)
Government Type: Republic
Languages: French (official), Fon and Yoruba (most common vernaculars in south), tribal languages (at least six major ones in north)
Ethnic Breakdown: Fon and related 39.2%, Adja and related 15.2%, Yoruba and related 12.3%, Bariba and related 9.2%, Peulh and related 7%, Ottamari and related 6.1%, Yoa-Lokpa and related 4%, Dendi and related 2.5%, other 1.6% (includes Europeans), unspecified 2.9%
Religion: 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%
Major Cities: Porto-Novo, Cotonou
Phone Country Code: 229
Health Concerns: very high risk of food, waterborne and vectorborne diseases (diarrhea, Hepatitis A, typhoid fever, malaria, yellow fever, meningococcal meningitis)
Official Tourism Website: http://www.benintourisme.com/
High Travel Season: July - August
Voltage: 220 V - 50 Hz
Electrical Plug Type: e
Major Holidays:
Misc Fact / Good to Know: Benin was formerly known as Dahomey.
