Overview on Benin
Benin is an independent republic -with a democratic government- which lies on the Gulf of Guinea and forms part of the West African Region. The capital city is Porto-Novo although Cotonou is the seat of government. Other major cities are Abomey and Parakou.
The official language is French and various local languages (Hausa, Bariba in the north and Fon, Goun, Yoruba... in the south) are also spoken.
Improved management and political stability is helping Benin to keep up an annual growth rate of around 5% in spite of economic underdevelopment and dependency on subsistence agriculture, cotton production and regional trade.
The economy of Benin encourages free trade. The Benin oil industry and mining industry are two key elements in the economy of the country. Electricity is provided by the parastatal utility Societe Beninoise d'Electricite et d'Eau (SBEE). Agriculture, Commerce and Transportation make up the largest proportion of the GNP. The manufacturing sector in Benin contributed 7% to the country's GDP in 1995 and focuses around the agricultural industry, processing products and manufacturing consumer goods and construction materials. The cement and oil refining industries make up the only heavy industry of Benin.
The international time zone for Benin is Greenwich - 1. The international dialling code for Benin is +229. Although there are still many problems in the country, such as unemployment and lack of funding for social programs, Benin is generally regarded as a model of successful democratization in West Africa. Private businesses continue to grow, and there is a strong sense of optimism among the people. The future of Benin is bright.
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Last updated 09/19/2002